title: Occurrence, isolation and differentiation of Candida spp. and prevalence of variables associated to chronic atrophic candidiasis.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to survey the frequency of Candida spp. in patients with chronic atrophic candidiasis (CAC), to differentiate Candida species and to assess the prevalence of certain infection-associated variables to this disease. Patients with CAC and wearing partial or complete dentures were recruited. Data were obtained by means of a questionnaire with details involving identification of the subject, demographic characteristics, behaviour and medical history, clinical and mycological evaluation and identification of yeast. The sample collection was carried out in the palate or palate and tongue of the subjects using sterilised swabs. Data were submitted to statistical analyses using Fischer's test. Forty-three (53%) cases of CAC showed the presence of Candida albicans. Females (75.2%) wearing complete dentures (60.1%) for more than 10 years (58%) were risk factors to CAC development. It could be concluded that: (a) the results did not confirm a significant difference among patients with CAC concerning the presence or absence of Candida spp.; (b) the occurrence of Candida was negatively related to important factors associated to this opportunistic infection; and (c) mycological findings did not indicate that the variables investigated have a significant effect on oral infections by C. albicans or other Candida species.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS, Brazil. rafael.lund@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rafael Guerra
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: da Silva Nascente
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Etges
authors.forename: Gladis Aver
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Pedro Luiz
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Rosalen
authors.forename: Francisco Augusto Burkert
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Del Pino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000382:microbiology; D003829:Denture, Partial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires