Efficacy of chlorhexidine gluconate rinse for treatment and prevention of oral candidiasis in HIV-infected children: a pilot study.

Publication/Presentation Date

2-1-2004

Abstract

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect of chlorhexidine (CHX) 0.12% rinses on the clinical and microbiologic manifestations of oral candidiasis in HIV-infected children.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional, clinical intervention study of 38 HIV-positive children. Inclusion in the study was based on oral examination and positive oral culture for Candida. At baseline, subjects with no clinical lesions but who were culture-positive for Candida (N = 9) were placed on preventive therapy of CHX q.d. for 90 days. Subjects with clinical oral candidiasis (N = 9) were placed on therapeutic CHX b.i.d. All 38 subjects received oral exams at monthly intervals. At 90 days oral mucosal samples were again taken for Candida. Colony-forming units (CFU) were determined before and after CHX treatment.

RESULTS: Of 18 culture-positive subjects, 12 were included in the CFU analyses. After 3 months of CHX oral rinse therapy, Candida was undetectable in 3 children; another 8 showed an average 2-fold reduction in CFU. In 1 child the number of CFU increased modestly. Overall, the average pre- and posttreatment mean CFU was 6.18 +/- 2.19 and 2.73 +/- 3.15, respectively (P = .009). Five patients with clinical oral candidiasis at baseline, including all 3 who had pseudomembranous candidiasis, were free of signs of disease at the end of the study.

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the topical disinfectant CHX may be a promising agent for treating and preventing oral candidiasis in HIV-infected children.

Volume

97

Issue

2

First Page

204

Last Page

207

ISSN

1079-2104

Disciplines

Dentistry | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

14970779

Department(s)

Department of Dental Medicine

Document Type

Article

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