Vaginal colonization or infection with Candida albicans in human immunodeficiency virus-infected women during pregnancy and during the postpartum period. Women and Infants Transmission Study Group.

We evaluated the relationship between immunologic status and vaginal colonization or infection with Candida albicans for 605 women enrolled in a multicenter, prospective cohort study of mother-to-infant transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). A low CD4+ lymphocyte level (< 14% vs. > or = 14%, which corresponds to an absolute count of approximately 200 x 10(6)/L) was associated with a two- to fivefold increased likelihood of vaginal colonization (odds ratio [OR], 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-5.19) and vaginal candidiasis (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.21-7.71) during pregnancy and during the postpartum period (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.51-5.88 and OR, 5.45; 95% CI, 1.73-16.6, respectively). These associations persisted in multivariate logistic regression analyses. No associations with CD8+ lymphocyte levels or CD8+ CD38+ or other lymphocyte subset levels were found after adjustment for CD4+ cell level and other covariates. However, postpartum (but not antepartum) antibiotic use and pregnancy were also associated with vaginal colonization and candidiasis (P < or = .001 for each). Vaginal candidiasis was not associated with an increased risk of mother-to-infant transmission of HIV-1; however, a related, more inclusive variable, clinical vaginitis or vaginosis of any etiology at the last antepartum visit, was associated with mother-to-infant transmission (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.07-3.43). These findings emphasize the complex, multifactorial nature of vaginal candidiasis and highlight the need for safe and effective treatment and prevention strategies for women with advanced HIV infection.