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Updated: Dec 21, 2025
Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients
Published on: March 1, 2024
Dynamic study of oral Candida infection and immune status in HIV infected patients during HAART
Xian Du1, Hui Xiong2, Yao Yang3
1College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, 410120, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, 410120, China; Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, 410120, China.
Insights
Oral Candida infection decreased in HIV/AIDS patients after starting highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Lower CD4 counts and CD4/CD8 ratios were linked to oral Candida, suggesting its use in monitoring immune status.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- HIV/AIDS Research
Background:
- Oral Candida (OC) infections are common in individuals with HIV/AIDS.
- Monitoring immune status, including CD4+ T lymphocyte counts, is crucial for managing HIV/AIDS.
- Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has transformed HIV/AIDS management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To dynamically monitor oral Candida infection prevalence.
- To track CD4+ T lymphocyte counts, CD8+ T lymphocyte counts, and CD4/CD8 ratios in HIV/AIDS patients during their first year of HAART.
- To explore the relationships between oral Candida and immune markers in HIV/AIDS patients on HAART.
Main Methods:
- A one-year follow-up study of 46 HIV/AIDS patients initiated on HAART.
- Oral rinses collected at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months for Candida species identification.
- Blood samples analyzed for CD4+ T lymphocyte counts, CD8+ T lymphocyte counts, and CD4/CD8 ratios.
Main Results:
- Oral Candida prevalence significantly decreased post-HAART initiation (P < 0.05).
- CD4+ T lymphocyte counts significantly increased from baseline (263.39 cells/mm³) at 3, 6, and 12 months (P < 0.05).
- Oral Candida was associated with lower CD4+ counts and CD4/CD8 ratios; high Candida load and low CD4+ counts (<200 cells/mm³) were risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Oral Candida infection prevalence declines with HAART.
- Oral Candida load is negatively correlated with CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and CD4/CD8 ratios.
- Oral Candida may serve as a valuable indicator for assessing immune status in HIV/AIDS patients.
Objective:
To dynamically monitor oral Candida infection, CD4+ T lymphocyte counts, CD8+ T lymphocyte counts and CD4/CD8 ratios in HIV/AIDS patients during their first year of HAART and to preliminarily explore the relationships between them.
Design:
Forty-six patients with HIV/AIDS receiving HAART at the Infection Department of Chongqing Red Cross Hospital were followed for one year. At baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after HAART initiation, oral rinses were collected and cultured to identify Candida species. Further, blood samples were collected to detect CD4+ T lymphocyte counts, CD8+ T lymphocyte counts and CD4/CD8 ratios.
Results:
The prevalence of OC decreased after HAART initiation (P ＜ 0.05), and Candida albicans was the dominant species isolated from the oral cavity (66/93). At 3, 6 and 12 months after HAART initiation, CD4+ T lymphocyte counts were 327.91 ± 138.82, 329.65 ± 142.66 and 319.98 ± 97.90 cells/mm3, respectively, which were significantly higher than the level at baseline (263.39 ± 126.01 cells/mm3) (P = 0.016, P = 0.014, and P = 0.035, respectively). During the first year of HAART, CD4/CD8 ratios increased gradually, and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts decreased continually. OC was associated with low CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and a low CD4/CD8 ratio. CD4+ T lymphocyte counts <200 cells/mm3 and Candida load ≥300 CFU/mL were risk factors for OC (P ＜ 0.05), and oral Candida load was negatively correlated with CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and the CD4/CD8 ratio.
Conclusion:
OC might be a useful marker for the evaluation of immune status in patients with HIV/AIDS.
