CLINICAL AND LYMPHOCYTE-RESPONSES TO BETA-CAROTENE SUPPLEMENTATION IN11 HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ORAL CANDIDIASIS

Eleven HIV-positive patients with chronic oral candidiasis were supple mented with 60 to 120 mg of beta-carotene daily for 3 to 7 months. Lym phocyte profiles were evaluated at intervals to help assess immune com petence. Althought there was a modest increase in some lymphocyte valu es at 2 months, there was a significant decrease in numbers of CD4 and CD8 cells and CD4 percentage of lymphocytes after 6 months of beta-ca rotene supplementation. Serum triglyceride and liver enzyme levels wer e not affected by the beta-carotene supplementation. No improvement wa s observed in the control of the oral candidiasis. Under the condition s of the study, there was no indication that daily beta-carotene suppl ements enhanced immune competence or was of benefit in managing oral c andidiasis.