Quantification of Oral Candidal Carriage Rate and Prevalence of Oral Candidal Species in HIV Patients with and Without Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

BACKGROUND: Most documents review decrease in the prevalence of HIV related oral lesions to the tune of 10-50% following the advent of HAART. However long term use of HAART on oral health status of HIV infected subjects is poorly documented. Also antifungal agents can effectively treat mucosal candidiasis. However their use can lead to colonization with less susceptible strains among normal susceptible strains. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To know the candidal carriage rate (i.e. presence/absence of candidal growth), candidal density(CFUs/ml) & species variations (species diversity) in HIV positive individuals with and without highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), attending the regional voluntary Counselling and Confidential Testing Centre (VCCTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population were categorized into 3 groups. Method followed were Germ tube test, Chlamydospore formation test, CHROM-Agar test. RESULTS: Quantification comparison study of candidal carriage rate, density with detection of various candidal species in the oral cavity of HIV-positive individuals with and without HAART therapy was conducted. CONCLUSION: HIV positive individuals with HAART therapy treatment prooved higher candidal carriage rate and lower density than Non-HAART category.