Biotypes of oral Candida albicans isolates in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients from diverse geographic locations.

Oral Candida albicans isolates from HIV-infected individuals in Hong Kong, Australia, Germany and England were characterised using a biotyping system based on enzyme profiles, carbohydrate assimilation patterns and boric acid resistance of the yeasts. A total of 44 biotypes were found amongst the 117 oral C. albicans isolates examined. The major biotype A1R accounted for 17.9% of all isolates while the second commonest biotype was A1S (11.1% of isolates). Whereas these two biotypes were isolated from all the regions studied, there were a number of other biotypes unique to individual countries. The data indicate that there are many different sub-strains of oral C. albicans in HIV-infected patients, some of which are globally prevalent. However, further work is required to ascertain the diversity of oral C. albicans biotypes, if any, in health and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]