Candida oral colonization and infection in Brazilian patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to verify the profile of Candida species responsible for colonizing and infecting the oral cavity of Brazilian patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT).


METHODS
Saliva samples were collected from 21 patients before, during, and immediately after RT. Each sample was distributed in agar Sabouraud dextrose/chlorophenicol and incubated at 37 degrees C for 18 hours. Emerging colonies were identified biochemically and through the germinative tube test. Patients were examined weekly to identify clinical candidiasis.


RESULTS
Candida colonization continuously increased during RT. Infection occurred in 52% of the patients, and baseline colonization was higher in infected patients. A shift toward non-albicans species was observed in both infected and noninfected patients.


CONCLUSIONS
RT leads to increased colonization and infection by Candida. The shift toward non-albicans species was unrelated to antifungal therapy. There may be epidemiological differences between infected and noninfected patients.
Jham
Bruno Correia
BC
Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil. brunocjham@yahoo.com.br <brunocjham@yahoo.com.br>
França
Esdras Campos
EC
Oliveira
Ricardo Reis
RR
Santos
Vagner Rodrigues
VR
Kowalski
Luiz Paulo
LP
da Silva Freire
Addah Regina
AR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies