Oral Candida colonization of human immunodeficiency virus infected subjects in Turkey and its relation with viral load and CD4+ T‐lymphocyte count

The association of asymptomatic oral Candida colonization with the markers of immunodeficiency and HIV is not clear yet. In addition, the prevalence of different Candida species colonizing the oral cavity of HIV-infected patients in Turkey remains unknown. To evaluate these subjects, oral rinse samples were taken from 64 HIV-positive individuals who have come to the department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul Medical Faculty for viral load and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count measurement. The specimens were plated quantitatively on CHROMagar Candida. Oral Candida colonization was detected in 53 (82.8%) patients. The species isolated most frequently from carriers was Candida albicans (83%), followed by Candida glabrata (22.6%) and Candida dubliniensis (11.3%). More than one Candida spp. was isolated from 16 (30%) colonized patients. The status of yeast carriage and Candida load was not associated with the number of CD4(+) cells or the viral load. Similarly, there was no statistical relation between the use of protease inhibitors, age, gender, smoking and the oral carriage of Candida. Other factors, which may be responsible for the high oral carriage of Candida spp. in this patient group, need to be researched.