Characterization of Candida albicans isolates from the oral cavity of HIV-positive patients

Characterization of Candida albicans isolates from the oral cavity of Ethio pian Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-positive patients and HIV-negative individuals was undertaken. After identification of isolates using conventi onal methods and determination of carbohydrate assimilation profiles, serot yping was performed by slide agglutination with the Iatron IF6 serotyping s ystem. Sensitivity of the isolates to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) was assessed using the broth macrodilution method. There was no difference in phenotype, by any of the three methods used, between the HIV-positive and HIV-negativ e individuals. Serotype A was found to be dominant in strains isolated from both HN-positive (34/40 85%) and HIV-negative (17/20 85%) study subjects. These data suggest that the C. albicans strains causing oral candidiasis in patients with HIV infection are identical to the commensal ones found in h ealthy individuals.