Candida In Saliva Research Articles

Presence of candida in the dental plaque and saliva of patients with severe early childhood caries and early childhood caries:a pilot study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of candida, which is one of the etiological factors contributing to early childhood caries (ECC) and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC), in the dental plaque and saliva of children aged 6 years and younger. Our study involved 60 participants who met the inclusion criteria. Based on clinical examinations, we divided them into three groups, each consisting of 20 children: S-ECC, ECC, and caries-free groups. We collected dental plaque and saliva samples from the children during clinic visits. In the laboratory, we assessed these samples for the presence of candida using the Liofilchem® - ChromaticTM Candida (Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy) medium and identified Candida species. The presence of Candida in the saliva of children with S-ECC (40%) and ECC (30%) was statistically significant compared to children without caries (p<0.05). Observationally, we found a higher presence of candida only in the dental plaque of children with S-ECC (25%) and ECC (15%) compared to children without caries (p>0.05). In the S-ECC group, we detected Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, and Candida tropicalis in saliva, while Candida albicans was found in dental plaque. In the ECC group, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida krusei were detected, whereas Candida was not detected in children without caries. It is important to consider the presence of Candida in both saliva and dental plaque, as it potentially plays a role in the pathogenesis of ECC. These findings suggest that identifying and preventing Candida colonization may be valuable for individual risk assessment and could contribute to reducing ECC.

Association between Antimicrobial Peptide Histatin 5 Levels and Prevalence of Candida in Saliva of Patients with Down Syndrome.

There are no studies on Candida colonization and micropeptides of saliva in any patient. Therefore, we studied the effects of the salivary antimicrobial peptide histatin 5 on oral fungal colonization; subjects were subdivided into Down syndrome (D) and normal (N) groups by age: N-1 and D-1, age <20 years; N-2 and D-2, age >40 years. Histatin 5 concentration in saliva was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Oral Candida species were identified using CHROMagar Candida. Candida colonization was significantly enhanced in the D-1 and D-2 groups compared to the N-1 and N-2 groups. There was no predominant difference in salivary histatin 5 concentration between the D-1 and N-1 groups, but it was significantly lower in the D-2 group than in the N-2 group. Only in the N-2 group was there a correlation between the concentration of histatin 5 and total protein, while no correlation was found in the other groups. In elderly patients with Down syndrome, the decrease in histatin 5 shown in this study may lead to oral Candida colony formation. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that a deficiency of the antimicrobial peptide histatin 5 could possibly induce oral Candida infection in DS.

Effect of probiotic bacteria on oral Candida in head- and neck-radiotherapy patients

The aim of the study is to assess the effect of probiotic bacteria on oral Candida counts in cancer patients who are undergoing head- and neck-radiotherapy in a tertiary care center. The study was a randomized clinical trial including 90 patients who just completed head- and neck-radiotherapy. Participants were randomly allocated into three equal sized groups, i.e., probiotics group, candid group, and combination groups. Oral rinse samples of the patients were collected before and after the intervention for the identification of Candida. The samples were incubated on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar with Chloramphenicol at 37°C for 48 h, to assess the counts of colony-forming units/milliliter (CFU/ml) of Candida in saliva, and further on chrome agar plates to identify the Candida spp. Data were analyzed using mixed ANOVA to compare mean CFU/ml of Candida among three groups before and after the intervention. A total of 86 patients were included in the final analysis and there was a statistically significant reduction in mean Candida spp. Counts (CFU/ml) after intervention in all the three groups (P = 0.000) and significant reductions identified in both probiotic and combination therapy groups. Apart from reduction in Candida albicans, significant decrease in Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis was observed after probiotics usage compared to other groups. The present study suggests that probiotic bacteria were effective in reducing oral Candida spp which can be recommended alone or in combination with traditional antifungal agents for effective reduction in oral Candida in head- and neck-radiotherapy patients.

Candida Carriage Rate and Growth Characteristics of Saliva in Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Case-Control Study.

Background and aims. The aim of this study was to establish a relationship between salivary glucose levels and Candida carriage rate in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and assess the growth characteristics and acid production of Candida in glucose-supplemented saliva.Materials and methods. A total of 90 subjects, 30 with controlled type 2 diabetes, 30 with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and 30 without diabetes (control subjects), aged 30‒60 years, participated in the study. Unstimulated saliva was collected and investigated for glucose levels (GOD-POD method), colony-forming units (CFU) of Candida and salivary pH, using Indikrom paper strips). Analysis of statistical significance of salivary glucose and PH levels was carried out using post hoc Tukey HSD test. Correlation of Candida carriage rate with salivary glucose and salivary PH in the study groups and control group was made using Pearson’s correlation.Results.Candida CFUs were significantly higher in diabetic subjects, with a significant and positive correlation with salivary glucose levels. There was a negative correlation between salivary PH levels and Candida carriage rate.Conclusion. Increased salivary glucose was associated with increased prevalence of oral Candida in diabetic subjects. The growth of Candida in saliva was accompanied by a rapid decline in PH, which in turn favored their growth.

Salivary Candida species carriage patterns and their relation to caries experience among yemeni children.

This study was carried out to assess the carriage rates, counts and species distribution of Candida in saliva of 6- to 12-year-old Yemeni children and relate that to their caries experience. One hundred eighty children were recruited. Oral hygiene and caries were assessed using the simplified oral hygiene index and dft/DMFT index, respectively. Detection and quantification of 4 Candida species in unstimulated saliva were performed using CHROMagar Candida medium. Data were analysed using regression analysis. Candida was detected in 60% of the children with a mean count of 923 ± 1875 CFU/ml. C. albicans accounted for 60% of the isolates and was the only species to be detected with more than 1000 CFU/ml. Non-albicans candida and unidentified species represented 16.3% and 23.1% of the isolates, respectively. One novel finding was that a significant proportion (38%) of the carriers harboured two or more species, which for the first time allowed the identification of four age-dependent carriage patterns (clusters). Another somewhat new observation was that carriage at ≥ 1000 CFU/ml in particular significantly correlated with caries in primary and permanent dentitions (r = 0.23 and 0.18, respectively) as well as a caries-active status (OR = 6.9). Interestingly, the C. glabrata cluster had significantly lower primary caries scores than other clusters. The findings substantiate claims of geographical variations in candida carriage and the relation between candida carriage and caries. The validity of carrier clusters and the use of 1000 CFU/ml as a risk marker should be further investigated.

Candida, Mutans Streptococci, Oral Hygiene and Caries in Children

to test the association between Candida and mutans streptococci (ms), oral hygiene and caries levels and in children. 22 boys and 12 girls (age 6 to 14.5 years) participated in the study. Each participant received a toothbrush, and was asked to brush his/her teeth after proper instructions. Dental caries and oral hygiene were recorded. Candida and ms levels were determined in saliva samples. Candida colonies were observed in 70.5% of the children. No association was found between Candida and caries or plaque and gingival indices. C. albicans-positive children demonstrated significantly higher brushing scores. Our findings may suggest that there is no clear association between Candida in saliva, and levels of cariogenic bacteria and caries risk in children.

Relationship between salivary histatin 5 levels and Candida CFU counts in healthy elderly

Few epidemiological studies have confirmed the antifungal activity of histatin 5 in saliva against Candida species. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between concentrations of histatin 5 and the number of cultivable Candida in saliva samples from elderly. Whole saliva samples were obtained from 124 elderly people, 65 years or older, living in a rural community. The concentrations of histatin 5 in saliva samples were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a monoclonal antibody. Total colony-forming units (CFUs) were counted on a selective medium for Candida. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the independent contribution of explanatory variables to Candida CFUs using age, sex, histatin 5 concentration and type of denture prosthesis as independent variables. Saliva samples from 104 subjects (84%) were candidal colony-positive. The youngest group (65-69 years old) showed significantly smaller Candida CFU counts than those in the older group. The mean Candida CFU count of denture wearers was significantly higher than that of non-denture wearers. Significantly negative associations were found between Candida CFU counts and histatin 5 level in the oldest group (p < 0.05) and in the full-denture wearers (p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that Candida CFU counts were mostly associated with type of dentures, followed by histatin 5 concentration. Possible activity of histatin 5 against Candida in whole saliva of elderly people was epidemiologically confirmed. The area covered by the prostheses was a strong factor associated with the Candida CFU count.

Oral health in renal transplant recipients administered cyclosporin A or tacrolimus

The aim of this study was to determine the oral status of renal transplant recipients receiving cyclosporin A (CsA) or tacrolimus (FK-506) as immunosuppressant. A total of 88 renal transplant recipients receiving CsA (63 men and 25 women, mean age 51.4 years) and 67 receiving FK-506 (57 men and 10 women, mean age 33.5 years) were included in the study. Donor type, histocompatibility, cold ischemia time and prior delayed graft function were similar between the two groups. Demographics and pharmacological data were recorded for all subjects. The results demonstrated that CsA caused a greater number of oral diseases. A greater number of gingival overgrowth was present in patients treated with CsA. However, the combined use with calcium channel blockers increased the gingival overgrowth number. The occurrence of candida in saliva was observed in 80 renal recipients treated with CsA and 20 treated with FK-506. The presence of squamous oral carcinoma (n = 3) and herpes simplex (n = 10) was observed in patients treated with CsA. These alterations were not observed in renal recipients treated with FK-506. Renal recipients constitute a high-risk group for oral diseases, as they are immunocompromised. However, the FK-506 regime appears to ameliorate this effect, compared with CsA. Adequate pre- and post-transplant oral health care is recommended for these subjects, irrespective of the time interval for which the drug is administered.

Candida in saliva of Brazilian hemophilic patients

Hemophilia is a common hereditary hemorrhagic disorder, however little is known about the oral microflora of hemophilic patients. The aim of this study was to quantify the Candida and identify its species in non-stimulated saliva of hemophilic patients, and consider its relationship with clinical factors influencing Candida carriage. This study comprised evaluation of 86 hemophilic patients of the Hematology Center/UNICAMP and 43 healthy subjects as controls. All patients were submitted to anamnesis, intraoral examination and unstimulated saliva collection. Candida counts and species identification were performed in salivary samples. Candida was present in 64% of the hemophilic patients and in 44% of the healthy controls. C. albicans represented 65% and 68% of the isolated species, in hemophiliacs and control group respectively, and C. tropicalis was the second most common species in both groups. These results indicate that hemophilic patients carry Candida more frequently and in higher counts than healthy controls, independently of oral clinical parameter considered, as viral infections, complete dentures, transfusions of hemoderivatives, and salivary flow.

Denture stomatitis and salivary Candida in Brazilian edentulous patients.

Denture stomatitis (DS) is frequently associated with high levels of Candida in saliva and deficient denture hygiene. In order to analyse the incidence of DS and its pre-disposing factors, we evaluated 77 edentulous patients before and 6 months after the placement of new complete dentures. Denture stomatitis was observed in 50.6 and 18.2% of the patients at the first and second evaluation, respectively. Salivary flow, Candida counts in saliva and Candida species were similar in both evaluations. Denture stomatitis and Candida in saliva were more common in females. Our results showed that denture replacement and denture hygiene improvement were useful for DS resolution, particularly types I and II. However, oral and denture hygiene must be continuous, inasmuch as salivary Candida counts remained high and it is considered an important pre-disposing factor for DS.

Incidence of Candida in psoriasis--a study on the fungal flora of psoriatic patients.

The presence of Candida albicans and other Candida species in saliva and faeces of 50 psoriatic patients compared with a control group of 50 healthy donors was examined quantitatively. The quantity of Candida in saliva and faeces of the psoriatics proved to be significantly higher than in the controls. Candida was detected in 78% of the saliva samples of the psoriatics but in only 50% of the controls, and in the faeces samples in 72% of the psoriatics, but in only 46% of the controls. Qualitative analysis revealed a predominance of Candida albicans (saliva, 77%; faeces, 64%) and Candida rugosa (saliva, 28%; faeces, 28%). We did not find a correlation between the severity of the psoriasis according to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and the amount of Candida in the saliva or in the faeces. Our results reinforce the hypothesis that C. albicans is one of the triggers to both exacerbation and persistence of psoriasis. We propose that in psoriatics with a significant quantity of Candida in faeces, an antifungal treatment should be considered as an adjuvant treatment of psoriasis.

FUNGAL PROPHYLAXIS BY ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF BOVINE ANTI-CANDIDA ANTIBODIES IN ALLOGENEIC BMT.

550 Allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients (BMT) are at high risk of developing invasive fungal infections by Candida species. Invasive Candida infections are of endogenous origin, developing from gastrointestinal colonization. A majority of BMT patients are colonized before and during the transplant proceedure. Material & Methods: We performed a pilot trial with bovine anti-Candida-antibodies derived from the colostrum of cows immunized against Candida mannan antigen. Nineteen patients were first followed to evalauate the colonization pattern by quantitative fungal cultures in specimens from the mouth, urine and feaces. Patients with more than 100 CFU/ml of Candida in saliva before BMT had a stable or increasing colonization rate during BMT and 11 patients of these rate were studied. One patient was later excluded due to systemic antifungal therapy for a suspected invasive fungal infection. Antibody treatment consisted of 10 g of bovine anti-Candida antibodies containing 4.2 g of IgG, divided into 3 daily doses from day 4 before transplantation up to day 28 after BMT. The product was administered orally as a swish and swallow formula dispersed in chocolate drink. All patients also received topical nystatin (0.8 × 106U/day). Patients were followed by quantitative mouth wash cultures twicw weekly during the study, stool as well as serum samples were collected and analysed for any remaining bovine protein. Results: Evaluation of the colonization revealed that 48% of BMT recipients were colonised with Candida pre-BMT and the rate increased to 72% beeing colonized at some time during BMT. The majority of fungal isolates were Candida albicans. Compliance was a problem due to severe mucositis and the patients could take antibodies for a median of 6 out of 33 days (range 2- 28 days). Response was seen in 7 out of 10 patients that recieved antibodies, with a reduction of CFU:s during therapy and 1 patient became completely negative during therapy. No adverse events were noted, some undigested or partly digested bovine proteins could be found in stool samples and only minute amounts could be found in serum samples. Conclusion: A pilot trial with topical bovine anti-Candida-antibodies as oral colonization prophylaxis revealed favourable results, reducing colonization rate in 7/10 patients and a complete erradication in 1 patient. Thus encouring further larger studies to evaluate the prophylactic possibility in immunosuppressed patients.

Growth and acid production of Candida species in human saliva supplemented with glucose.

Growth characteristic and acid production of oral isolates of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata in glucose supplemented and glucose-free, pooled, human whole saliva were examined. Both Candida species exhibited sigmoidal growth curves in batch cultures of mixed saliva, supplemented with glucose. The growth of Candida in saliva was accompanied by a rapid decline in pH from 7.5 to 3.2 over 48 h and the major acidic components initiating and sustaining this pH drop were pyruvates and acetates. These acidic metabolites may play an important role in the pathogenesis of oral Candida infections.

Mouth lesions in iron-deficient anemia: relationship to Candida albicans in saliva and to impairment of lymphocyte transformation.

The atrophic glossitis and angular chilosis in patients with iron-deficient anemia are associated with infection of the mouth by Candida albicans. Saliva from these patients contained more Candida and supported the growth of Candida better than did saliva from a control group. The possibility that growth of Candida may be due to impaired lymphocyte function was investigated by measuring transformation of lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin. Transformation was depressed in iron-deficient subjects and returned to normal after correction of their iron status. The lymphocyte count in the peripheral blood was also depressed and corrected by additional iron. Impaired lymphocyte function did not explain the mouth lesions and growth of Candida in saliva since lymphocyte transformation was equally depressed in patients with and without mouth lesions. A local factor, such as an effect of lack of iron on the resident vacterial flora of the mouth, may be important.