Distribution of Candida Species among HIV-Positive Patients with Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Accra; Ghana

Introduction: Oropharyngeal candidiasis is a common occurrence in the course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression. Changes in the clinical severity of oropharyngeal candidiasis and type of Candida species profile may be a reflection of immunological changes in patients. The aim of this study was to undertake a baseline Candida species identification for future reference. Methodology: Oral swabs of 267 HIV-infected patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis were cultured and Candida species were identified by API 32 C. Results: A total of 201 (75.3) Candida species and 10 (3.7) non candida fungi were identified. Twenty different Candida species were isolated. Candida albicans was the most prevalent species (68.5) followed by C. tropicalis (7.4); C. krusei (6.4); C. parapsilosis (3.0) and C. sake (2.5). Other species ranged from 0.5 to 1.5.Positive culture was independent of whether patients were on anti-retroviral therapy or not. Conclusion: of all Candida isolates; 68.5 were identified as C. albicans. Since other uncommon species were also isolated; it may be necessary in this group of patients to identify Candida species causing severe infections

Emergency Ear; Nose throat Administrations at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

Background: Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) emer-gencies are common in all communities. Early diagnosis and prompt management will result in reduction in morbidity and mortality.Objectives: To assess the size and distribution of ENT emergencies; obtain base line data and out-line preventive measures.Design: Clinical records of patients admitted for ENT emergency care at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2002 were studied with respect to sex; age; diag-nosis on admission and outcome of emergency care. Exclusion criteria were admissions for termi-nal cancer care.Results: A total of 750 patients made up of 476 males and 274 females were admitted for emer-gency care. The age range was 1 month to 100 years; mean age was 25.5 years and median age was 18.23 years. The commonest causes of emer-gency admissions were foreign bodies in the oe-sophagus in 310 (41.3