Abstract

MEER, S  and  SIBDA, A. Pathology of Candida infection in oral HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma: A descriptive study. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2018, vol.73, n.5, pp.354-358. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2018/v73no5a5.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and histomorphology of secondary Candida infection in oral HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma (HIV-KS) and to describe the demographics of patients with oral HIV-KS with and without secondary Candida infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Haematoxylin and eosin, and periodic acid-Schiff stains of 32 oral HIV- KS were examined histologically for intensity and morphology of Candida colonisation, depth of invasion, number of organisms, epithelial reactions and inflammatory response. Depth of Candida invasion and severity of infection were correlated with CD4 T-cell counts of HIV-positive patients. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of oral HIV-KS were secondarily infected with Candida (n=13). Intensity varied from an isolated single pseudohyphus to matted colonies. Whilst in most cases, organisms did not invade beyond the parakeratin layer, pseudohyphae extended into stratum spinosum in two cases, and a single case showed a pseudohyphus within the lamina propria. Two cases showed pseudohyphae in the pyogenic membrane. Neutrophilic permeation of epithelium, commonly associated with Candida infection was frequently present even in absence of Candida infection CONCLUSION: Oral HIV-KS is commonly secondarily infected with large numbers of Candida organisms. Morphological characteristics of secondary Candida infection in surface epithelium of HIV-KS suggest an altered pathogenetic pathway. Further studies are indicated.

        · text in English     · English ( pdf )