Hairy leukoplakia

**Definition:** Oral hairy leukoplakia is a focal epithelial hyperplasia of the oral mucosa associated with Epstein-Barr virus. It is closely associated with HIV and occurs in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent HIV-infected individuals. It is also, however, found in uninfected people who are immunosuppressed, e.g. organ transplant recipients. It presents as white patches with a corrugated or hairy appearance affecting particularly the lateral borders of the tongue.