Endoscopy to detect oral and oesophageal candidiasis in acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Cytologic evidence of candidiasis was sought on endoscopic oesophageal brushings from 116 patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) to determine the reliability of oesophagoscopy and the possibility of predicting Candida spp. oesophagitis from concomitant oral candidiasis or oesophageal symptoms. Oesophageal candidiasis was present in 42 patients and constituted the first opportunistic infection in 19 patients. Sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 98% and 96% for oesophagoscopy, 69% and 42% for oral candidiasis, 52% and 74% for oesophageal symptoms, and 83% and 35% for the presence of at least one of these last two parameters. Endoscopy also proved to be the examination of choice for diagnosis, and cytology was needed only when it was negative. Oral candidiasis and oesophageal symptoms were not sufficient to predict oesophageal candidiasis. Endoscopy would seem to be indispensable to the diagnosis of oesophageal candidiasis and its differentiation from other forms, thus preventing any empirical resort to unwarranted forms of treatment. It is also indicated for staging purposes in asymptomatic patients, since oesophageal candidiasis is one indicator of the transition to full-blown AIDS.