SMOKING IMPACT ON ORAL CANDIDIASIS IN HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS

With all benefits of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) therapy in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected patients, oral candidiasis (OC) remains a significant health problem in these patients. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of smoking on oral candidiasis in HIV patients. We retrospectively analysed a group of 84 HIV-infected patients with OC, hospitalised and monitored in Clinic of Infectious Diseases Timisoara, Romania. Positive diagnosis was based on physical examination and laboratory data. Identification was performed by API Candida system, ATB Fungus 2 for antifungal susceptibility testing and direct microscopic examination of fungal species. There were registered 50 patients (59.52%) smokers, and 34 (40.47%) nonsmokers. In smoking group were recorded: 13 patients with lingual erljthematous candidiasis, 14 with lingual pseudomembranous candidiasis, 6 with pharyngeal candidiasis, 12 with cheilitis and other 8 with oral hairy leukoplakia. In non smoking group there were 30 patients with erythematous candidiasis and 4 with lingual pseudomembranous candidiasis. Candida albicans was isolated in majority cases in both studied groups. Candida nonalbicans was isolated in 13 patients from smoking group, and in 4 patients from nonsmoking group. Association of smoking with increasing number of OC clinical forms, required implementation of antismoking counseling programs in HIV-infected patients.