Background: Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most frequent fungal infection in HIV patients. The aims of this study were to appraise prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis and to determine factors associated with oropharyngeal candidiasis and oral yeast colonization among Iranian HIV patients.
Methods: The patients were composed 150 Iranian HIV positive individuals referred to Iranian Research Center for HIV & Aids (IRCHA), Imam Khomeini Hospital complex in Tehran, Iran. Oral samples were obtained and cultured on mycological media. TCD₄ lymphocyte count/percentage was measured and patients were categorized. Patients evaluated for some risk factors for oropharyngeal candidiasis and oral candida colonization.
Results: Fifty nine percent of patients were presented with oropharyngeal candidiasis and the carriage rate of yeasts was 116 (77.2%). The most frequent isolated candida species were Candida albicans (102) 50.2% and Candida glabrata (45) 22%. Thrush in 57(38%), perleche in 30(20%) and erythematous lesions in 7(4.7%) of patients were observed. Significant differences in TCD₄ count (p=0.01), gender (p=0.02), antifungal therapy (p=0.001), smoking (p=0.02), and intravenous drug use (p=0.03), between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were observed.
Conclusion: Oral candidiasis is a frequent complication among Iranian HIV individuals. C. albicans and C. glabrata are most important etiologic agents of oral candidiasis. In Iranian HIV individuals; TCD₄ count, antifungal therapy, gender, smoking and intravenous drug use are important risk factors for oropharyngeal candidiasis. Denture wearing and age are predisposing factors for oral colonization.