Phenotypes of Candida spp. isolates in HIV-infected and AIDS patients.

The phenotypic strain variations among isolates of Candida spp. from single patients were studied. From the oral cavity of 5 asymptomatic and 5 AIDS patients with oral candidiasis 39 Candida spp. were collected. After the macroscopic and microscopic features of colonies were recorded, the following 6 examinations were performed: germ-tube test, auxanogram, morphotype, resistogram, adhesivity to human keratinocytes and susceptibility to 6 antifungal compounds. Replacement of C. albicans either with C. tropicalis or C. glabrata was found for 3 patients. A strain of C. albicans (case 1) differed from the others in all the tests studied MICs on isolates recovered from AIDS patients were higher, or grew over time, than MICs on those from asymptomatic subjects. No correlation was demonstrable between the antifungal susceptibility and the other parameters. Strain variations in the oral microflora of HIV-positive and AIDS patients really may occur.