Prevalence of oral Candida carriage in Thai adolescents

Abstract

Oral candidiasis is among the most common AIDS-associated opportunistic infections. Adolescents remain at the highest risk of HIV infection and could suffer from oral candidiasis. However, information on oral Candida carriage in this population is limited. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of oral Candida in Thai adolescents. Oral rinse samples from 80 healthy Thais (age: 15-17 years) were collected and analyzed for the prevalence of Candida species using culture-based and polymerase chain reaction assays. Twenty six adolescents (32.5%) carried Candida in the oral cavity. Candida albicans was detected in 28.75% (23/80). Non-albicans Candida species were detected in 6.25% (5/80). The majority (92.3%, 24/26) of adolescents with Candida carried a single species. Two carried two species: one with Candida glabrata and Candida albicans, and the other with Candida parapsilosis and Candida albicans. Three adolescents harbored only non-albicans species, with one carrying Candida tropicalis and two carrying Candida parapsilosis. Candida dubliniensis was not detected in this population. Most adolescents carried Candida at a low level (<500 c.f.u./mL). Oral Candida was present in approximately one-third of adolescents. Candida albicans was the most prevalent (88.5%), and non-albicans species were present in 19.2% of those with oral Candida.