Meunier F, Paesmans M, Autier P
Institut J. Bordet, Brussels, Belgium.
Eur J Cancer B Oral Oncol. 1994 May;30B(3):196-9. doi: 10.1016/0964-1955(94)90091-4.
This report focuses on the value of antifungal prophylaxis with antifungal drugs in preventing oropharyngeal candidiasis. Randomised trials comparing non-AIDS immunocompromised patients receiving or not an oral antifungal agent were reviewed. Colonisation of the throat with Candida albicans is a risk factor, principally when cultures for this species of yeasts remain positive after initiation of the prophylaxis. The results of the trials were meta-analysed and we obtained a combined odds ratio for developing oropharyngeal candidiasis of 0.15 when under antifungal prophylaxis (confidence interval at 95%:0.10-0.22, chi 2 statistic of 90.77, P < 0.0001). We conclude that there is a strong beneficial effect of antifungal prophylaxis against the occurrence of oropharyngeal candidiasis. However, up to now, no study has correctly assessed the value of nystatin as a prophylactic agent against oropharyngeal candidiasis.
