Abstract: Objective To study the clinical characteristics, the laboratory profile (CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ counts and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio) and the efficacy of antifungal treatment in HIV/AIDS patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis. Methods Oral lesions were evaluated among 20 HIV/AIDS patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis and the controls who were HIV-negative patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis. Samples were obtained from the lesions for fungal examination by microscopy and culture. The flow cytometry was used for detection of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ counts in peripheral blood. Treatment efficacy of itraconazole was assessed among study group and the control group after treatment for one week, two weeks, at the end of treatment, as well as two weeks after treatment. Results Out of 20 HIV/AIDS patients, 19 were infected with Candida albicans and one with Candida parapsilosis. Six cases had infection on the tongue and 14 on the mucous membrane of oral cavity. CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ counts, and CD4/CD8 ratio were 119.40±127.43, 652.50±338.57 and 0.163±0.13, respectively. Mycologic clearance rates were 16.67%, 50.00%, 61.11% and 66.67%, respectively, after treatment with itraconazole for one week, two weeks, at the end of treatment, and two weeks after treatment. Conclusions Oropharyngeal candidiasis is a complication occurred in HIV/AIDS patients, and Candida albicans is the most common pathogen of the infection. The tongue and mucous membrane of oral cavity are usually involved in the patients. The therapeutic efficacy is related to the status of immunity.

Key words: HIV infections, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Candidiasis, oral