Impact of human immune deficiency infection on oral microflora

Aim: To compare levels of Streptococus mutans in saliva samples of HIV infected individuals and non-HIV-infected control individuals. Materials and Methods: Subjects were selected from those attending the Department of microbiology of a tertiary care center A total of 100 individuals, 50 HIV-seropositive individuals and 50 HIV-seronegative control individuals, men and women, ages 15 yrs and older were selected for the study and divided into 2 groups-Group 1- 50 HIV-seropositive individuals, Group 2- 50 HIV-seronegative control individuals. All the saliva samples were collected using Spitting method. After collection all the saliva samples were cultured using mitis salivarius bacitracin (MSB) agar which is a selective media for the isolation of Streptococcus mutans. Obtained values were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon W and Z-tests. Results: Results showed that S. mutans levels were higher in HIV-infected individuals than in the non-HIV-infected control individuals (p = 0.000). Conclusion: It can be suggested that HIV infection accelerates colonization of S. mutans bacteria.