Abstract
Adhesion and colonization of the oral cavity by Candida albicans is an initial step in candidosis. Orthodontic and other oral appliances seem to favor candidal presence. The aim of this work was to compare the presence of Candida species in saliva, their adherence to oral epithelial cells, and the levels of anti–C. albicans IgA in children with or without orthodontic appliances. This study included 30 children 5 to 12 years old (9.1 ± 1.7 years old) who were users of removable orthodontic devices for at least 6 months and 30 control children of similar ages (7.7 ± 1.5 years old). The presence of yeast species in the saliva was evaluated by microbiological methods. Candida species were identified using phenotypic methods. Anti–C. albicans IgA levels in saliva were analyzed by ELISA. The yeasts adhering to oral epithelial cells were assessed by exfoliative cytology. No statistically significant differences were observed for saliva yeast counts and anti–C. albicans IgA levels between the studied groups. Children with orthodontic devices exhibited more yeast cells adhering to oral epithelial cells and a higher percentage of non-albicans species relative to the control group. In conclusion, orthodontic appliances may favor the adherence of Candida to epithelial cells but do not influence the presence of these yeasts in saliva, and the levels of anti–C. albicans IgA do not correlate with yeast adherence or presence of Candida in the oral cavity
Highlights
The pathogenicity of Candida spp. is due to enzyme production, tissue invasion, and their capacity to adhere to oral mucosa.[1]
C. albicans exhibits the highest values of adherence to oral epithelial cells relative to other
optical density (OD) values obtained for the groups were analyzed by ANOVA, and no significant differences were observed between the groups (p = 0.16)
Summary
The pathogenicity of Candida spp. is due to enzyme production, tissue invasion, and their capacity to adhere to oral mucosa.[1] The adherence of yeast to oral epithelial cells is influenced by yeast-related factors such as the expression of adhesion proteins, the presence of germinative tubes, and the production of extracellular polymers and enzymes. Host-related factors such as sexual hormones, the presence of fibrin and fibrinogen,[2] and salivary compounds including mucine,[3] salivary proteins,[4] and secretory IgA5 may influence this process. The effects of these components on the adherence of C. albicans differ, as some of them increase the adhesion capacity whereas others show inhibitory activity.[6]. C. albicans exhibits the highest values of adherence to oral epithelial cells relative to other
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