CANDIDAL INFECTION OF THE GINGIVA IN HIV-INFECTED PERSONS

Gingival biopsies were taken from 27 HIV (human immunodeficiency virus )-seropositive persons with gingivitis or periodontitis and 16 HIV-ser onegative persons with periodontitis. Sections were stained with hemat oxylin and eosin or periodic acid-Schiff. Candidal hyphae and pseudohy phae were found in the parakeratinized oral epithelium in 7 specimens from the HIV-infected patient group and in the connective tissue close to the bottom of the gingival pocket in one such specimen. No fungal invasion was found in any of the biopsies from the HIV-seronegative pe rsons. Candidal invasion was significantly more frequent (P < 0.05) in patients with a confirmed history of necrotizing periodontal diseases (5/9) than in patients without known episodes of such diseases (3/18) . The most prominent histopathologic changes observed in connection wi th candidal invasion comprised polymorphonuclear leucocyte infiltratio n of the oral gingival epithelium and numerous mitoses, some of which were located suprabasally. It is suggested that Candida albicans may c ontribute to the development of necrotizing periodontal diseases in HI V-infected persons.