Activity of Solanum lycopersicum against Candida species isolated from retro-positive patients – An invitro study

In the recent years, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has infected millions of people around the globe, making it an important public health concern of the future. Candida species found as a commensal is the most common etiology of oropharyngeal candidiasis, an opportunistic fungal infection seen in HIV patients. The objective of the present study was to determine the anti-candidal activity of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) extract on oral Candida species isolated from HIV positive patients. 30 oral rinse samples were collected from retro-positive patients attending the anti-retroviral therapy center. tandard culture techniques were followed for the identification of yeast. Of the total 30 samples, 13 samples grew Candida species belonging to Candida albicans (77%), Candida guilliermondii (15%) and Candida lusitaniae (8%). The mean CD4 count was 386. About 61% (n=8/13) of Candida species were susceptible to Fluconazole (MIC >0.50 μg/mL) and 39% (n=5/13) were resistant (MIC <0.50 μg/mL). Ethanolic extract of Solanum lycopersicum showed anti-candidal activity at MIC and MFC 6.25mg/mL for the drug-resistant Candida species. Further exploring the phytochemical components present in Solanum lycopersicum could help be an alternative treatment modality to fight the increase in drug resistance seen in Candida species.