Joseph Fokam
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon; Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Ministry of Public Health, National HIV Drug Resistance Working Group,Yaoundé, Cameroon
Alex Durand Nka
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy; Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Evangelical University of Cameroon, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon
Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy; Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Evangelical University of Cameroon, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon
Cynthia Kelly Essono Asso´o
Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Jeremiah Efakika Gabisa
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Aude Christelle Ka´e
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Yagai Bouba
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Willy Pabo
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Buolikeze Kuoh Nji Geh
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Davy Gouissi
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Collins Ambe Chenwi
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Michel Carlos Tommo Tchouaket
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon; School of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Aissatou Abba
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Désiré Takou
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Nadine Fainguem
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Rachel Simo Kamgaing
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Samuel Martin Sosso
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Marie Elvire Nokam Abena
Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Alexis Ndjolo
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Abstract
Introduction: oral candidiasis in HIV-disease generally indicates immune incompetence both among antiretroviral treatment (ART) naive and experienced patients. To optimize oral healthcare among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), we sought to evaluate the type and distribution of oral candidiasis with respect to ART-profile and immuno-virological parameters among PLHIV in the Cameroonian context.
Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 patients (51 ART-naïve and 112 ART-experienced) residing in Yaounde Cameroon, from February through May 2019. Oral candidiasis was assessed, while viral load (VL) and CD4-count were measured on Abbott m2000rt and Cy-flow counter platforms, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) v.21 with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: in all, 18 cases of two forms of oral candidiasis were identified (13 erythematous and 5 pseudomembranous), with the majority, 27.7% (11/51), observed among ART-naïve patients against 6.3% (7/112) in ART-experienced (p=0.006). With respect to immuno-virological profile, 77.8% (14/18) and 22.2% (4/18) of cases were identified among participants with CD4<200 cells/mm3 and CD4>200 cells/mm3, respectively (p<0.0001). In the light of viral load, the occurrence of oral candidiasis was largely observed among subjects with VL≥1000 copies/ml, 83.3% (15/18), against 16.7% (3/18) with VL<1000 copies/ml, irrespective of the candidiasis form (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: among PLHIV, erythematous and pseudomembranous candidiasis are commonly found in the absence of ART, driven by immunodeficiency and active viral replication. In spite of the protective role of ART, PLHIV experiencing immuno-virological failure should be referred for management of oral candidiasis.
