Colonisation of oral cavity by Candida species

Abstract number: 1135_196

Glazar I., Abram M., Pezelj-Ribaric S., Ticac B., Muhvic Urek M., Maricic D.

Objectives:  

The aims of the study were to assess the colonization of oral cavity in otherwise healthy individuals with oral symptoms (dry mouth and burning mouth syndrome) by Candida species and to determine their susceptibility to antimycotic drug nystatin. Nystatin is frequently used for topical prophylaxis or treatment of oral candidiasis.

Methods:  

This study examined the oral yeast colonization in 104 participants. Samples were collected with tongue swabs and cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar at 37 °C for 48 h. All isolates were identified by germ tube production, chlamydospore development on cornmeal agar with 0.5% Tween 80 (Difco, Detroit, USA) and ID 32 Candida identification kit (bio-Merieux, Marcy-l'Etoile, France). The susceptibility profile was evaluated by disk diffusion method for nystatin (NeoSensitabs, Taalstrup, Denmark) on Mueller–Hinton agar.

Results:  

At the time of sampling, 30 (28, 84%) individuals were positive on colonization by Candida species. 27 (90%) of isolates corresponded to Candida albicans while two isolates (6.6%) were identified as C. kefyr (C. pseudotropicalis) and one (3, 3%) as C. glabrata. All the isolates were susceptible to nystatin.

Conclusion:  

Candida albicans was the main Candida species that colonized oral cavities while non-C. albicans species were rarely detected. Since all isolates were susceptible, nystatin can be safely used for prophylaxis of oral candidiasis in patients with oral symptoms such as dry mouth or burning mouth syndrome.