Abstract
Oropharyngeal candidiasis remains a significant clinical problem in HIV-infected and AIDS patients in regions of Africa where anti-retroviral therapy isn't readily available. In this study we identified the yeast populations associated with oral lesions in HIV-infected patients in Southwest Uganda who were receiving treatment with nystatin and topical clotrimazole. Samples were taken from 605 patients and 316 (52%) of these yielded yeast growth following incubation on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Samples were subsequently re-plated on CHROMagar Candida medium to facilitate identification of the yeast species present. The majority (56%) of culture-positive samples yielded a mix of two or more species. Candida albicans was present in 87% (274/316) of patient samples and accounted for 87% (120/138) of single species samples. Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis and Candida norvegensis were also found in cultures that yielded a single species. No Candida dubliniensis isolates were identified in this population.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Board of the Dublin Dental University Hospital and the Company of Biologists Ltd (Journal of Cell Science and Development), UK and The AIDS Support Organization TASO management.
Declaration of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest. The authors are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.
This paper was first published online on Early Online on 9 September 2011.