ABSTRACT
Background &Objective: Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is a common feature associated with HIV infection. Over the past decade, reports have documented a shift away from C. albicans as a major cause of infection to non albicans Candida (NAC) species. Several NAC spp are inherently resistant to commonly used antifungal drugs. The objective of the present study was to investigate the distribution pattern of Candida spp. from HIV infected patients with OPC and evaluate its antifungal susceptibility pattern. Methods: A total of 192 HIV infected patients with oropharyngeal lesions (OPL) suggestive of candidiasis and 60 non HIV infected healthy individuals presenting without any OPL were included in the study.Swabs collected from the site of lesions were used for the demonstration and isolation of Candida. Speciation of Candida isolates was done and antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by the disc diffusion method. Results: Out of 192 HIV-infected patients with OPL, 179(93.2%) showed growth of Candida. Isolation of NAC species was higher than C. albicans. Azole resistance was more in NAC species as compared to C. albicans.Conclusions: NAC species has emerged as an important cause of OPC in HIV infected patients. The increased isolation rates of NAC species and a gradual shift in the antifungal susceptibility profile underlines the need of early and accurate diagnosis of infecting Candida spp along with antifungal susceptibility testing for selecting the most appropriate antifungal agent for therapy.