Reduction of Candida species colonization in the oral cavity of children infected with human immunodeficiency virus after dental treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate Candida species in the oral mucosa before and after dental treatment in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and investigate the relation of these yeasts with cavitated carious lesions, immune suppression, and use of antiretroviral drugs.


METHODS
Specimens of oral mucosa (M1) and dentin were collected, using a swab and dental curette respectively, from 30 HIV-infected children. Dental treatment (tooth-brushing, fluoride application, restoration of all carious lesions and extractions, if needed) was performed, and at posttreatment (M2, mean 30 days after baseline) another sample of oral mucosa was collected.


RESULTS
Candida colony-forming unit (CFU) values were greater in dentin when compared with oral mucosa before dental treatment (M1), and a reduction of these fungi was observed in oral mucosa after dental treatment (M2) (P < .05). Cavitated carious lesions and caries in dentin were positively correlated with CFU in M1 (P < .05). C. albicans was the most prevalent of the Candida species. A relationship between the level of immune suppression and use of antiretroviral drugs with the prevalence of yeasts was not observed (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The decrease in CFU at M2 and the high prevalence of these yeasts in dentin indicates that cavitated lesions in this population can serve as a niche for colonization and proliferation of Candida species in HIV-infected children.
das Chagas
Madeleine Souza
MS
Postgraduate Student, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Portela
Maristela Barbosa
MB
Cerqueira
Daniella Ferraz
DF
de Souza
Ivete Pomarico Ribeiro
IP
Soares
Rosangela Maria
RM
Castro
Gloria Fernanda
GF
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D041022:Candida tropicalis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003804:Dentin / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014099:Toothbrushing; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical