Distribution and antifungal susceptibility profile of oropharyngeal Candida species isolated from people living with HIV in the era of universal test and treat policy in Uganda

A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from April to October 2023 investigating the prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis among 384 people living with HIV and assessing the antifungal susceptibility profile of oropharyngeal Candida species. The study found a 7.6% prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis, with significant associations to low CD4 T cell count and high viral load. C. albicans was the most frequently isolated species (57.1%), and notable antifungal resistance was observed, particularly 20% resistance to fluconazole among isolates, with C. glabrata and C. krusei showing the highest resistance rates among non-albicans species.