Plasma levels of Transforming Growth Factor Beta in HIV-1 patients with oral candidiasis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: TGF-ß is a potent regulator and suppressor of the immune system and overproduction of this cytokine may contribute to immunosuppression in HIV-infected patients. Increasing population of immunosuppressed patients has resulted in increasingly frequent of fungal infections, including oral candidiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of TGF-ß under in vivo conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy- two samples were obtained from the oral cavities of HIV-positive Iranian patients and cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar and CHROMagar. Also blood samples were obtained to assess TGF-ß levels using ELISA technique. RESULTS: Thirty-three out of 72 oral samples yielded candida isolates, Candida albicans in 14 and non-albicans candida in 19.Fungal infection decreased significantly more TGF-ß level than non-fungal infection also HIV negative were significantly more TGF-ß than HIV positive. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a significant interaction between fungal infection and HIV on expression of Transforming Growth Factor Beta.