plasma levels of transforming growth factor beta in hiv-1 patients with oral candidiasis

Background and purpose: tgfbeta is a potent regulator and suppressor of the immune system and overproduction of this cytokine may contribute to immunosuppression in hivinfected 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 tgfbeta under in vivo conditions. materials and methods: seventy two sles were obtained from the oral cavities of hivpositive iranian patients and cultured on sabouraudrsquo s dextrose agar and chromagar. also blood sles were obtained to assess tgfbeta levels using elisa technique..results: thirtythree out of 72 oral sles yielded candida isolates, candida albicans in 14 and nonalbicans candida in 19.fungal infection decreased significantly more tgfbeta level than nonfungal infection also hiv negative were significantly more tgfbeta than hiv positive. conclusion: our findings suggest a significant interaction between fungal infection and hiv on expression of transforming growth factor beta.