This study was designed to investigate the oral yeast colonization rate of household contacts of AIDS patients. Sixty-four AIDS household contacts were sequentially enrolled along with 103 HIV-negative blood bank donors (control group). Samples were obtained by swabbing the oral mucosa. Yeast isolates were identified by classical methods and antifungal susceptibility testing was performed according to NCCLS microbroth assay. Candida spp. was recovered from the oral cavity of 33% of the AIDS household contacts, in contrast with 14% of the control group (P = 0.003 or P = 0.04 after adjusting for oral prosthesis use). Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species in both groups. All of the isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole. In conclusion, we were able to demonstrate a higher colonization rate in the AIDS household contacts group compared with the control group. No resistant isolates to antifungal drugs was observed. We suggest that the contact with AIDS patients may play a role as a risk factor for developing oral colonization by Candida spp.