Candidal carriage in the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects

OBJECTIVES. We sought to assess asymptomatic oral carriage of Candida species and relative density in human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV+) subjects, as well as to determine whether yeast carriage is associated with CD4+ cell count, HIV-1 RNA quantity, gender, route of HIV transmission, antiretroviral therapy, or smoking. STUDY DESIGN. A cross-sectional analysis of oral rinses from HIV+ and healthy subjects was undertaken. Oral candidal carriage and relative species were investigated in 42 HIV+ and 41 healthy individuals, all of whom were seen at the Palermo University Department of Oral Sciences, Italy. Data were managed and analyzed by means of the computer software package StatView 5.0.1. RESULTS. Carriage rate was 61.9% and 29.3% (P =.003) among HIV+ and healthy subjects, respectively. Similarly, density carriage in the HIV+ group was found to be significantly higher than in the control group (P = .0002). Among HIV+ subjects, Candida carriage was significantly associated with smoking, whereas density was not. Oral candidal carriage and relative density were not significantly associated with the other 4 parameters evaluated. Candida albicans was the most frequently recovered species. CONCLUSIONS. Asymptomatic candidal carriage and relative density were found to be significantly higher in the oral cavity of HIV+ subjects-but not associated with CD4+ counts or HIV-1 RNA quantities.