Study on the Distribution at Species Level of Genus <i>Candida</i> in Human Oral Cavities, Using Culture and Multiplex PCR Methods

Abstract

Purpose: Although the genus Candida is frequently isolated from human oral cavities, the distribution at the species level of these organisms has been little reported. The purpose of the present study was to assess the distribution at the species level of the genus Candida in human oral cavities. Methods: This study was performed using culture and Multiplex PCR methods. Moreover, the genotyping classification of C. albicans was analyzed with a PCR. Results: Of all subjects (n = 90), detection frequency of genus Candida was 42.2%. Genus Candida was not detected in the subjects between 0 to 9 years old, and there was no difference in the detection frequencies of this organism among each generation from 10s to 80s. C. albicans was the most dominant species, followed by C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, and C. dubliniensis. Plural Candida species tended not to be detected in the individual sample. Genotype A was dominant in the C. albicans isolates. Conclusion: These results indicated that C. albicans of genotype A was dominant and that the genus Candida rarely coexists with other Candida species, in each individual oral cavity.