BIOTYPES OF ORAL CANDIDA-ALBICANS ISOLATES IN HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-INFECTED PATIENTS FROM DIVERSE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS

Oral Candida albicans isolates from HIV-infected individuals in Hong K ong, Australia, Germany and England were characterised using a biotypi ng system based on enzyme profiles,; carbohydrate assimilation pattern s and boric acid resistance of the yeasts. A total of 44 biotypes were found amongst the 117 oral C, albicans isolates examined. The major b iotype A1R accounted for 17.9% of all isolates while the second common est biotype was A1S (11.1% of isolates). Whereas these two biotypes we re isolated from all the regions studied, there were a number of other biotypes unique to individual countries. The data indicate that there are many different sub-strains of oral C, albicans in HIV-infected pa tients, some of which are globally prevalent. However, further work is required to ascertain the diversity of oral C. albicans biotypes, if any, in health and disease.