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Oral yeasts and coliforms in HIV-infected individuals in Hong Kong
1Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Insights
Oral yeast carriage in HIV patients is linked to disease severity, unlike coliforms which appear transient. This study examined yeast and coliform patterns in a Hong Kong HIV cohort.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Oral microbial colonization is common in HIV-infected individuals.
- Understanding carriage patterns of specific microorganisms like yeasts and coliforms is crucial for managing opportunistic infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate oral carriage patterns of yeasts and coliforms in a Chinese HIV-infected cohort.
- To explore associations between oral microbial carriage and clinical factors such as age, HIV severity (CDC classification, CD4+ count), and medication use.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study conducted over 12 months in Hong Kong.
- Collected 73 oral rinse samples from 32 HIV-infected males using concentrated rinse culture.
- Correlated carriage rates with clinical parameters via regression analysis.
Main Results:
- Weighted mean carriage rates were 54.8% for yeasts and 28.8% for coliforms.
- Candida albicans and Enterobacter cloacae were the most frequent isolates.
- Increased yeast carriage correlated with zidovudine use and CDC stage IV; decreased with antiparasitics and multivitamins.
- Coliform carriage was lower with antibacterials and multivitamins but unaffected by age, CD4+ count, antivirals, antifungals, or folates.
Conclusions:
- Oral yeast carriage in HIV infection is associated with disease severity.
- Oral coliform carriage appears transient and less influenced by clinical factors in this cohort.
Abstract:
The objective was to determine the oral carriage patterns of yeasts and coliforms and their relationships, if any, with age, risk group, CDC classification, CD4+ count and medications in a predominantly Chinese, HIV-infected cohort in Hong Kong. A prospective longitudinal study was carried out over a 12-month period, of 32 predominantly Chinese male HIV-infected cohort in a hospital setting in Hong Kong. Oral carriage rates were determined by the concentrated rinse culture method and correlated with other clinical parameters using regression analysis. A total of 73 oral rinse samples were collected and the weighted mean carriage rates of oral yeasts and coliforms were 54.8% and 28.8%, respectively. The most common yeast and the Enterobacteriaceae isolated were Candida albicans and Enterobacter cloacae, respectively. An increased carriage rate of yeasts was associated with zidovudine usage and Centres for Disease Control (CDC) stage IV of the HIV infection whereas the opposite was associated with the usage of antiparasitics and multivitamins. Although the oral carriage rate of coliforms was significantly lower in individuals taking antibacterials and multivitamins, it was not significantly influenced by age, CD4+ lymphocyte count and the intake of antivirals, antifungals or folates. These data imply that oral yeast carriage in HIV infection is related to the severity of the disease as opposed to oral coliform carriage which appears to be unusually transient in the study cohort.
