Abstract
BackgroundCandida albicans is most frequently isolated from oral cavity but identification of other Candida species such as C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata & C. dubliniensis is increasing proportionately. A constant rise in immuno-suppressed patients, widening range of recognized pathogens, and resistance to antifungal drugs are contributing factors which stress the need for species identification of Candida, an opportunistic pathogen. Objectives: 1. To detect the prevalence of Candida albicans and Non albicans Candida albicans (NAC) species in the oral cavity of patients with epithelial dysplasia, Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and healthy controls. 2. To identify and differentiate Candidal species using CHROMagar, a differential media.Material and MethodsThe study included smears from 50 patients with histopathological confirmation of epithelial dysplasia & OSCC and 50 normal controls. Candida albicans was identified using Sabouraud dextrose agar media (SDA) as primary culture followed by species identification using CHROMagar on the basis of colony color and morphology.ResultsNon albicans candida predominated (66%) over Candida albicans (34%) in speciation on CHROMagar media in the study group. Non albicans Candida species isolated were C. tropicalis (38%), C. glabrata (24%) and 2 cases showing polyfungal population of C. albicans & C. glabrata.ConclusionsSpecies level isolation of Candida helps in early identification of resistant non Candida strains and prompt treatment of the cases there by preventing the dissemination of infection in case of immuno-compromised individuals. The data presented also supports the use of CHROMagar Candida as a pertinent media for the rapid identification of Candida species directly from clinical specimens in resource challenged settings, which could be helpful in developing appropriate therapeutic strategy and management of patients. Key words:Candida, CHROMagar, epithelial dysplasia, oral cancer.
Highlights
IntroductionThe most common form of oral cancer, represents up to 80–90 % of all malignancies of the oral cavity
Oral squamous cell carcinoma, the most common form of oral cancer, represents up to 80–90 % of all malignancies of the oral cavity
Of the hundred subjects, Candida species were isolated from all the 50 cases and 2 of the 50 normal controls. 32 cases of epithelial dysplasia and 18 cases of Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in histopathologically varying grades in the age group of 35-65 years showed the presence of C. albicans and Non albicans Candida albicans (NAC)
Summary
The most common form of oral cancer, represents up to 80–90 % of all malignancies of the oral cavity. Chromogenic media available for rapid identification of yeast yield microbial colonies with varying pigmentation of secondary substrates that react with enzymes secreted by micro-organisms. These media are species-specific, allowing the organisms to be identified to the species level by their color and colonial characteristics. Candida albicans is most frequently isolated from oral cavity but identification of other Candida species such as C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata & C. dubliniensis is increasing proportionately. To detect the prevalence of Candida albicans and Non albicans Candida albicans (NAC) species in the oral cavity of patients with epithelial dysplasia, Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and healthy controls. The data presented supports the use of CHROMagar Candida as a pertinent media for the rapid identification of Candida species directly from clinical specimens in resource challenged settings, which could be helpful in developing appropriate therapeutic strategy and management of patients
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