title: Oral Candida colonization and candidiasis in patients with psoriasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate oral Candida colonization and candidosis in a group of patients with psoriasis and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 100 patients with psoriasis and matched controls underwent the concentrated oral rinse test for Candida isolation. Candida species were identified by the VITEK 2 Identification System. Categorical variables were evaluated using the χ(2) test. The median Candida count was compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral candidiasis was diagnosed in 3% of the patients with psoriasis. The Candida count and prevalence were significantly higher in the patients with psoriasis compared with controls (69% vs 44%, P < .001), but with no relationship to the severity or treatment of psoriasis. Oral Candida was significantly higher in late-onset (at age ≥30 years) compared with early-onset psoriasis (at age <30 years).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with psoriasis have increased oral Candida colonization and candidiasis. Further studies are needed to clarify the predisposing factor(s) for oral Candida in patients with psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Zarqa Governate Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Jordan.
authors.forename: Ahmad A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bedair
authors.forename: Azmi M G
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Darwazeh
authors.forename: Mustafa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Al-Aboosi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications*; D013045:Species Specificity