Prevalence of HPV associated oropharyngeal cancer among south Texans.

The goal of this study was to begin to assess the prevalence of oropharyngeal cancer among all oral cancers and thus the potential role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in this disease in the south Texas Region served by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), and University Health System (UHS) in San Antonio, Texas. This health system represents the largest catchment area for oral cancer serving the south Texas populations, extending from the U.S.

Microbiology and epidemiology of oral yeast colonization in hemopoietic progenitor cell transplant recipients.

Objective: We monitored the epidemiology and microbiology of oral yeast colonization in patients undergoing hemopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT) to examine associations between yeast colonization and oral mucositis.

Study Design: One hundred twenty-one consecutive HPCT patients were sampled for oral yeasts prior to fluconazole (FLC) prophylaxis, at transplantation, and weekly until discharge. Clinical oral mucositis screenings were performed triweekly.

The Changing Epidemiology of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Patients with HIV/AIDS in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy.

The impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on opportunistic conditions in HIV patients continues to evolve. We specifically studied the changing epidemiology of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in 215 HIV/AIDS patients. Status of yeast colonization was assessed from oral rinse samples, and preliminary yeast identification was made using CHROMagar Candida and confirmed with standard microbiological techniques and/or molecular sequencing.

Risk factors influencing antibody responses to Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latent and lytic antigens in patients under antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) seropositivity and lytic antibody titer are predictors for Kaposi's sarcoma.

Methods: We examined demographic, viral, and immunologic factors that influence KSHV latent and lytic antibodies in HIV-infected patients.

Results: Detection rate of KSHV latent but not lytic antibodies was lower in patients with CD4 cells/mm3 less than 200 than greater than 200 (odds ratio [OR], 0.

Loss of in vitro resistance in Candida glabrata following discontinuation of fluconazole prophylaxis in a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patient.

We report a case of fluconazole-resistant oropharyngeal colonization caused by a strain of Candida glabrata that rapidly regained susceptibility once prophylaxis with this agent was discontinued and echinocandin therapy was initiated. Isolates collected before and after discontinuation of fluconazole were confirmed to be isogenic by RAPD analysis. Transcription analysis demonstrated constitutive expression of genes encoding efflux pumps in the isolate recovered on fluconazole prophylaxis and transient expression in those isolates collected after fluconazole was discontinued.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis in the era of antiretroviral therapy.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) remains a common problem in the HIV-infected population despite the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although Candida albicans is the most frequently implicated pathogen, other Candida species also may cause infection. The emergence of antifungal resistance within these causative yeasts, especially in patients with recurrent oropharyngeal infection or with long-term use of antifungal therapies, requires a working knowledge of alternative antifungal agents.

Candida krusei sepsis secondary to oral colonization in a hemopoietic stem cell transplant recipient.

Yeasts other than Candida albicans have emerged as important causes of fungal infection in hemopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients, particularly those receiving fluconazole prophylaxis. We report on an autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplant recipient who developed Candida krusei sepsis from pre-existing oral colonization.

Adult hemopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Hemopoietic stem cell transplantation, or HSCT, is an important tool in modern cancer treatment. Refinement of transplantation techniques and supportive care has resulted in increased posttransplantation survival rates. Dental care is a key supportive element in both pretransplantation and posttransplantation care of this patient population.