The correlation between total lymphocyte count and the number of candida colony from the oral cavity in HIV/AIDS patients
Abstract: HIV infection causes
qualitative and quantitative reduction of the T helper (Th) subset of T
lymphocytes, facilitating opportunistic infection. One of the common
opportunistic infections among HIV/AIDS patients is Candida infection in the
oropharynx and esophagus. Detection of increased Candida colonialization is not
always easy, CD4 count is a parameter that could be used as reference. The fact
is there’s only few laboratory can provide CD4 count. This study is a
cross-sectional correlative study to determine the relation between total
lymphocyte count as a much more applicable laboratory parameter and the
intensity of Candida colonization in the oropharyngeal cavity of patients with
HIV infection/AIDS. It was performed in the outpatient ward and inpatient ward
of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, from August 2004 to January 2005. The
selected study subjects underwent interview, physical examination and had their
blood samples and gargle samples taken. 60 study subjects were recruited,
consisting of 52 males (86.7%) and 8 females (13.3%). The mean total lymphocyte
count was 1194.53 cells/μL. Oropharyngeal candidiasis was found in 44 subjects
(73.3%). There is a trend of higher Candida colonies number with lower total
lymphocyte count despite no significant correlation between total lymphocyte
count and the number of Candida colonies in the oral cavity of patients with
HIV infection/AIDS. There is significant different between total lymphocyte
count in positive and negative Candida colonies.
Author: Herdiman T. Pohan
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg050134
