A comparison of susceptibility patterns of oral Candida isolates from South African and Cameroonian HIV- positive populations

Abstract

METHOD: In this study, Candida isolates were collected from the oral mucosa of 128 South African and 126 Cameroonian HIV-positive patients, by scraping the mouths of consenting patients using sterile cotton swabs. Ethics clearance for this project was granted by the University of the Western Cape. Confirmation of Candida species was done by growth on differential media, Gram staining and microscopy. The isolates were grown on selective media and differentiated using two commercial chromogenic agars and Tomato (V8) agar. Changes in colony colour, morphology and pseudohyphae/chlamydospore expression could then be observed, allowing for species differentiation. Isolates were also examined for antifungal susceptibility patterns using the TREK system.

RESULT: The results from this study suggest that the prevalence of Candida species varies according to geographical region and HIV-subtype. Discrepancies in antifungal drug susceptibility patterns were also observed in the two populations.

CONCLUSION: The emerging drug-resistance raises the need for increased species prevalence surveillance, as this information can have clinical implications in the choice of more appropriate and effective patient treatment.