AIM: Candidiasis is the leading opportunistic mycosis in HIV and AIDS patients.
METHOD: In order to determine its prevalence in patients with different CD4+ T cell categories in the Nylon Health District in Douala, a cross-sectional study was carried out whereby 304 HIV positive individuals were recruited between March and August, 2007. They were divided into two groups; those on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and those not on HAART. Three samples constituting mouth, vaginal/urethral swabs and urine were collected from each subject.
RESULTS: A total of 204 (67.1%) [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.618-0.724] of these patients had more than one predisposing condition to candidiasis, with those on antibiotic therapy having the highest prevalence (63.7%) followed by pregnant patients (7.3%) (P < 0.05). Candidiasis was more common in patients with low CD4+ T cell count (
Key words: HIV, AIDS, Candida albicans, opportunistic infection, CD4+ T cells, HAART Article Language: Turkish English
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