Risk indicators for oral candidiasis and oral hairy leukoplakia in HIV-infected adults

Abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts

Abstract

In this population, a low CD4+ count was a significant risk factor for both conditions, and smoking increased the risk of oral candidiasis.

Main

Chattopadhyay A, Caplan DJ et al. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2005; 33: 35–44

Oral candidiasis (OC) and oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL: an Epstein-Barr virus infection) are common markers of HIV infection, and both may be reduced by highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). This study examined 631 patients treated between 1995 and 2000, when HAART was increasing.

Following logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio for OC infection was 12.7 (95% CIs: 4.9-32.9) for subjects with CD4+ counts below 200 cells/μl, 0.6 (0.3-0.9) for combination antiretroviral therapy, and 2.5 (1.3-4.8) for current smoking. Significant ORs >1 for OHL were identified for CD4+ counts below 200 cells/μl, male gender, antifungal medication and drug usage, but not for antiretroviral therapy. The authors emphasise the useful effect of antiretrovirals on OC and the importance of the CD4+ count as a risk factor for both conditions.