Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem worldwide, and particularly in South Africa. Micronutrient deficiency (malnutrition) is caused by insufficient supply of vitamins and minerals for normal cell function in the body. Nutritional deficiencies in minerals, vitamins and diets rich in carbohydrates have been implicated in the pathogenesis of oral candidal infections. Malnutrition and wasting are associated with TB, and HIV/TB co-infection may potentially worsen the wasting that occurs in TB or HIV infection alone. Aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between micronutrient deficiency and Oral Candidiasis (OC) in adult TB patients. The prevalence of OC and its association with malnutrition in terms of Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Albumin, Selenium (Se),Vitamin A (Vit A) and Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiencies were evaluated in a cross sectional study among eighty eight (n=88) TB adult patients. Patients underwent a complete oral examination for presence and type of OC and blood collection was done for serum nutritional assessment for levels of the micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Albumin, Se, Vit A and Vit D). Results: The mean age was 36 years of age, with the majority being females (60%) and HIV positive (69.3%). The prevalence of OC was 60% with pseudomembranous OC (48%) being the most common. Serum concentrations for Zn deficiency (< 8.2 μmol/L) was 69.4%, Vit A deficiency (< 1.05 μmol/L) was 52.3%, Albumin deficiency (< 35 g/L) was 69%, Se deficiency (< 46 μg/L) was 93.2%, Fe deficiency (< 9 μmol/L) was 53.7% and Vit D deficiency (< 49 nmol/L) was 45.1%. OC was prevalent in 40% (Zn deficiency), 25% (Vit A deficiency), 32% (Albumin deficiency), 33% (Se deficiency), 31% (Fe deficiency) and 36% (Vit D deficiency). However, there was no significant association between micronutrient deficiency and OC (p > 0.05). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that OC in TB adult patients is not associated with micronutrient malnutrition. Longitudinal studies are required to investigate the relationship between micronutrient deficiency and OC in adult TB patients further.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/12298 |
| Date | 25 January 2013 |
| Creators | Thekiso, Maphefo Desiree |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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