Colonization of Candida species in denture wearers with emphasis on HIV infection: a literature review.

Candida colonization in denture wearers, especially immunocompromised patients, can be disruptive to dental treatment and may be a barrier to patient health. The surface irregularities of acrylic resin are a factor in the entrapment of microorganisms. Consequently, controlling the spread of fungal infection in HIV-infected patients who wear removable prostheses and who are more susceptible to fungal infections because of their immunosuppression is of critical importance. This article reviews the literature on the colonization of Candida species in HIV-infected denture wearers using keywords such as complete dentures, candidiasis, and HIV-infection . The source for this review was representative English-language, peer-reviewed articles between the period of 1885 to 2003 obtained using Medline, as well as a hand search.