Prevalence of Candidiasis and Associated Site of Infection among HIV Patients Attending Federal Medical Center, Azare

Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are at the greatest risk of being infected with various opportunistic infections, as their immune systems become so weak to fight against the infectious agents. Candida species are among the commonest opportunistic pathogens affecting people with weakened immune systems. Candidiasis remains the major challenge of public health important to the HIV patients. There is scarcity of information regarding the impact of Candidiasis in public health in Northeastern part of Nigeria, especially Bauchi State. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of Candidiasis and the associated site of infection in the HIV patients. Clinical samples such as blood, urine, sputum and oral swab were collected from 300 HIV patients attending Federal Medical Center Azare, Bauchi State. The pathogens were isolated on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and identified using Corn meal agar, Germ tube test, ChromagarCandida, Gram staining and Lactophenol cotton blue. Four Candida species were isolated among which Candida albican (51%) was the most prevalent followed by Candida glabrata (12%). The isolates colonized the oral cavity of 51.11% of the patients making oral candidiasis most common among the patients. The oral candidiasis is the most troublesome form of candidiasis among HIV patients and has been caused mostly by Candida albican. Key words- Opportunistic infections, Candidiasis, Site of Infection, HIV, Bauchi