Abstract

Ouattara B, Bamba V, Kra O, Ouattara D, 1Kone S, Kouassi L, Toure HK, Nzoue KS, Adoubryn KD, Kadjo K and Niamkey E.K.

Esophageal mycoses are recurrent in HIV infection and often constitute the sign of its evolution. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of esophageal mycosis in HIV patients. This study was a retrospective one carried out from January 1st 2004 through December 31st 2011 in the Digestive Endoscopy Unit of the University Teaching Hospital of Treichville. It was based on the data contained in the records of all the HIV patients consulted over the study scope of time. Over 335 HIV patients, 174 had esophageal mycosis (52%). The sex-ratio was 0.8 and the average age 35± 5 years. We detected dysphagia in 18.5% of the cases, oropharyngeal mycosis in 18.5% of the cases and in 55% of the cases, esophageal mycosis was a fortuitous discovery. Amidst patients explored for oropharyngeal mycosis, 56.4% of them had an esophagus infection. Esophageal mycosis was classified grade III (44.8%). The HIV-1 serology represented 95.7% of the cases. Candida albicans was the only isolated pathogenic agent. The prevalence of esophageal candidiasis in HIV patients was high. The frequent infection of the esophagus in oropharyngeal mycosis suggests that it should be treated as esophageal mycosis in environments where oeso-gastroduodenal fibroscopy is not accessible.