Oral Colonization of Candidia sps among People Living with HIV/AIDS on Anti Retroviral Therapy

Dr. Mohammed Shahid | Dr. Nagasrilatha Bathala ^[2]

Abstract: Background: The major important dreadful disease of the 21stcentury is AIDS. The prevalence is being increased globally every year and became vulnerable to the public health. As it affects immune system, people living with HIV/AIDS placed at an increased risk of a variety of opportunistic infections. Among these, oral candidiasis is the most common HIV related oral lesion and most patients infected with a strain originally present as a commensal of the oral cavity. The rate of Candida infection is inversely related to the CD4 counts of the patient. Early diagnosis of oral Candidiasis and initiation of HAART with restoration of immune status will help in improving the general well - being of the PLWHA. Objectives: 1. To determine the prevalence of oral colonization with Candidia sps, 2. speciation of Candida isolates.3. Correlation with the immune status (CD4 count) of PLWHA. Materials & Methods: A cohort prospective study was conducted among 147 Individuals on ART. Basic demographic data, CD4 count and two oral swabs were collected from each participant. One swab was subjected to Gram?s staining and another one was inoculated on SDA. All the yeast isolates were speciated by germ tube test and growth on CHROM agar. The results were entered in excel sheet and analyzed. Results: Most of the participants were between 41 - 50 years (52/147). Out of 147, growth was obtained in 39 samples (26.5%). More Candida isolates were from the 41 - 50 years (35.8%). The most common Candida isolate was Candida albicans (61.53%) followed by Candida tropicalis (17.94%).46.15% of PLHA with candida colonization had CD4 count > 500 cells/mm3. Only 15.38% of PLHA with candida colonization had < 200 cells/mm3. Conclusions: As the trends of infection with Candida sps is shifting towards nonalbicans, speciation of Candida should be done as a routine diagnostic method. Irrespective of CD4 count, periodical screening for subclinical colonization with Candida sps can be recommended for prophylactic administration with antifungal drugs which can not only lead to prevention of clinical manifestations but also can minimize morbid conditions caused by these organisms.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Oral colonization, Candida sps, CD4 count

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 11, November 2023,

Pages: 767 - 770