Changes in Oral Organs After Coronavirus Infection
Keywords:
COVID-19, Oral Mucosa, Local Immunity, Immunocorrection, Dental Manifestations, Salivary Cytokines, Zangiota HospitalAbstract
Coronavirus infection alters the immune and microbial landscape of the oral cavity, making the oral mucosa a primary gateway and site for opportunistic colonization. Knowledge Gap: While systemic impacts of COVID-19 are documented, the specific adaptive mechanisms of local mucosal immunity and their clinical dental manifestations remain insufficiently characterized. Dental and physical examination was conducted on 120 patients with severe COVID-19 hospitalized at the Zangiota Special Hospital. Dynamic physical parameters, oxygen saturation (SpO2), catheter statuses, and systemic biochemical indicators were monitored alongside oral assessments. Patients presented with severe respiratory compromise (SpO2 of 84–86%) necessitating immediate oxygen therapy, accompanied by distinct localized manifestations including severe dry tongue, pale oral mucosa, mucosal vulnerability, and systemic complications such as sacral bedsores. Clinical observations highlighted an imbalance in mucosal protective barriers and justified the transition away from prolonged immunosuppressive therapies toward tailored immunocorrecting protocols to stimulate local defenses, such as secretory IgA and lysozyme. These insights demonstrate that the oral cavity acts as a mirror for systemic immunity, underscoring the necessity of integrated dental-immunological protocols to optimize recovery and prevent secondary bacterial complications in respiratory pandemics.
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