Correlation between CD4 T lymphocyte and candida species counts in oral candidiasis patients with HIV / AIDS

Background: Candida sp. is the most common opportunistic pathogen found during the development of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) & ​Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) disease. The clinical severity of oral candidiasis and the prevalence profile of Candida species reflect immunological changes in HIV / AIDS patients. Objective: Evaluating the relationship between CD4 T lymphocyte cells counts and the number of Candida species. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at Dr. Soetomo, Surabaya, Indonesia. For identification of Candida species, culture was carried out on Chromagar media followed by culture with vitek 2. Results: There were 114 study subjects who were divided into three groups based on the number of CD4 T lymphocyte cells, with 158 isolates of Candida species growing in culture. The highest number of Candida species was Candida albicans with a total of 107 isolates (67.7%). Candida non-albicans were 51 isolates (32.3%). Statistical test results showed a significant correlation between the number of CD4 T lymphocyte cells and the number of Candida species (p <0.001). Conclusion: The decrease in CD4 lymphocyte cell counts is influenced by various types of Candida sp. in oral candidiasis patients.