Oral candidiasis in HIV infected patients caused by Candida albicans and associated Candida species

In order to define precisely the associations of different species of Candida found in the mouth of HIV patients, we studied 83 buccal swab samples from 83 HIV patients with antifungal treatment (Ketoconazole 61%, Fluconazole 7.2%, Itraconazole 7.2%, Nistatin 2.4%) or without antifungal treatment (22.2%). Fifthy nine cultures were positive. C. albicans were observed in 79%, C. glabrata in 6.7% and other species (C.tropicalis, C.krusei, C.parapsilosis, C.kefyr, C.guillermondii, C.lusitaniae) in 14.3%. In 11.9% two species were associated. The results of this study indicate that HIV seropositive patients and patients with AIDS are at high risk for fungal infection although they receive prophylactic antifungal therapy.