Candiduria in HIV Infected Patients in Yaounde; Cameroon

ABSTRACT

Objective: To detect Candida species in the urine of patients living with human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV); and correlate the presence of candiduria and CD4 counts. Patients and Methods: The study population consisted of 105 hospitalized patients from the Military and Central Hospitals of Yaounde; who either were HIV positive or already suffering from AIDS. The patients consisted of 63 females (60) and 42 males (40) giving a male to female ratio of 11.5. Midstream urine samples were collected from all patients and mycological examination of the centrifuged sediments was done. Patients with CD4 counts 499 lymphocytes/mm3 were a proxy control group. Results: 38 of 105 (36.2) subjects had candiduria. 71of the cases were asympto-matic. The percentage of patients positive versus negative for candiduria increased progressively from stage-A (5) to B (32) to C (63) HIV infection. There was thus a correlation between candiduria and the CDC disease stage. Its presence heralded an advanced immuno-suppressed state of the AIDS patient. Conclusion: In resource-poor communities; where viral copy and CD4 count determination are expensive; candiduria may serve as one of the indicators for anti-retroviral therapy. We recommend routine detection of candiduria in this high-risk group of HIV/AIDS patients