title: Comparison of salivary flow and candidal carriage in patients with oral submucous fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a high-risk precancerous condition that predominantly affects Indians due to prevalent gutka chewing. Changes in the salivary flow rate and its effect on candidal carriage in patients suffering from OSMF have not been extensively explored.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare the salivary flow rate and salivary candidal carriage in OSMF patients and healthy individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This pilot study included a total of 30 OSMF patients and 30 healthy individuals. Salivary flow was estimated using preweighed cotton rolls placed at the openings of major salivary duct for 5 min. The cotton rolls were then removed from the oral cavity and weighed again. The difference in weight was recorded. Salivary samples were collected by the oral rinse technique and cultured on Sabouraud agar medium. The cultured yeast colonies were identified based on Gram's staining, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and germ tube formation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was statistically significant (P < 0.001) decreased salivary flow rate in OSMF individuals as compared to the control. Salivary flow rates constantly reduced with different grades of OSMF patients, although candidal carriage was seen in grade II and grade III OSMF patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A higher incidence of Candida was observed in OSMF patients when compared to the healthy individuals. The results of our study suggest that a higher candidal carriage in grade II and grade III OSMF patients could be related to decreased salivary flow rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Bhavana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Shaleen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vineet
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Rama Dental College and Hospital, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gupta
keywords: Candida albicans; Sabouraud dextrose agar; oral submucous fibrosis; salivary flow rate