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

The significance of fibrous foods for Kibale Forest chimpanzees

Four categories of plant food dominated the diet of chimpanzees in Kibale Forest; Uganda: non-fig tree fruits; fig tree fruits; herbaceous piths and terrestrial leaves. Fruit abundance varied unpredictably; more among non-figs than figs. Pith intake was correlated negatively with fruit abundance and positively with rainfall; whereas leaf intake was not influenced by fruit abundance. Piths typically have low sugar and protein levels. Compared with fruits and leaves they are consistently high in hemicellulose and cellulose; which are insoluble fibres partly digestible by chimpanzees. Herbaceous piths appear to be a vital resource for African forest apes; offering an alternative energy supply when fruits are scarce