Local, systemic, demographic, and health-related factors influencing pathogenic yeast spectrum and antifungal drug administration frequency in oral candidiasis: a retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
In order to identify oral candidiasis patients being at risk of carrying potentially drug-resistant Candida, the aim of the study was to detect local, systemic, demographic, and health-related factors influencing (I) yeast spectrum composition and (II) antifungal administration frequency. Additionally, the aim was to investigate (III) species shift occurrence.


METHODS
Data from 798 patients (496 females, 302 males; mean age 59.7) with oral candidiasis diagnosed based on positive clinical and microbial findings (species identification and CFU count) between 2006 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed using Pearson's chi(2) test and regression analysis.


RESULTS
Among 958 isolates, Candida albicans was the most frequently detected (76.8 %). Also, species intrinsically resistant to azoles were frequently isolated (15.8 and 17.7 % of isolates and patients). (I) Infections only caused by C. albicans were significantly associated with the use of inhalation steroids (p = 0.001) and antibiotics (p = 0.04), super-infection of lichen planus (p = 0.002), and the absence of removable dentures (p < 0.001). (II) Anti-mycotics were significantly more frequently administered in patients using inhalation steroids (p = 0.001), suffering from asthma/COPD, or smoking heavily (p = 0.003) and if C. albicans and non-albicans species were detected together (p = 0.001). (III) Pathogen composition did not change over time within the examined period (p = 0.239).


CONCLUSIONS
Different variables enhance the presence of certain Candida and the antifungal prescription frequency. No species shift was evident.


CONCLUSIONS
The major pathogen in oral candidiasis remains C. albicans. Nevertheless, therapeutic problems may be caused by the frequent presence of species intrinsically resistant to azoles, especially in patients wearing dentures.
Charité Centre 3, Department of Oral Medicine, Dental Radiology and Oral Surgery, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Aßmannshauser Str. 4, 14197, Berlin, Germany. moritz.hertel@charite.de.
Moritz
M
Hertel
Charité Centre 3, Department of Oral Medicine, Dental Radiology and Oral Surgery, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Aßmannshauser Str. 4, 14197, Berlin, Germany.
Andrea Maria
AM
Schmidt-Westhausen
Charité Centre 3, Department of Oral Medicine, Dental Radiology and Oral Surgery, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Aßmannshauser Str. 4, 14197, Berlin, Germany.
Frank-Peter
FP
Strietzel
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003778:Dentures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000150:complications
D000935:Antifungal Agents
Candida species; Fungal drug resistance; Oral candidiasis