Evaluation of candida isolates from the saliva samples of hiv seropositive patient

Aim: To assess the presence of candida isolates from saliva samples of HIV sero-positive patients. Objectives: To study the expression of different species of candida isolates from saliva samples of HIV sero-positive patients and to identify if any newer species candida is present in the saliva samples of HIV sero-positive patients. Materials and Method: 30 subjects with recently detected HIV sero-positive status and not undergoing Anti-Retroviral Therapy were selected. 0.5 ml of saliva samples were collected in the sterile bottles from these patients. These samples were sent to the laboratory within 2 hours of collection for further microbiological study. Germ tube test, morphology on Cornmeal Agar, Sugar Fermentation tests and Sugar Assimilation tests were used for identification of isolates and their species. Rapid identification for yeast fungi was also done by means of Autoscan 4 rapid yeast identification panel. Results: Of 30 patients analyzed, 16 (53%) were C. albicans, 5 (31%) were C. tropicalis, 2 (13%) C. lusitaniae, C. guillermondii and Tricosporon beigelii, 1(6%) C. glabrata, C. krusei, Rhodotorula rubra and Zygomycetes mucor species. It is evident from our study that Candida albicans and Non- albicans species of Candida are commensal organisms of the oral cavity. They tend to become pathogenic in immunocompromised HIV-sero-positive patients. They are responsible for Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in these individuals. These organisms show a change in susceptibility pattern to various anti-fungal drugs available. So it is necessary to know the causative Candida Isolate so that an appropriate treatment for Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in HIV-sero-positive patients can be given.