Prevalence of Candida species in the buccal cavity of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals in and around Pondicherry.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Candida in the buccal cavity of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals in and around Pondicherry, India and to analyse the antifungal susceptibility profile of the selected isolates.


METHODS
A total of 400 buccal samples, 200 each from diabetic and non-diabetic healthy individuals were included in the study. Sabouraud's dextrose agar was used for isolation of Candida species. Identification was performed through microscopy, germ tube test, sugar fermentation test, sugar assimilation test and by using Hichrome agar. Distinct and phenotypically representative colonies were selected and subjected to ITS analysis. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing for the isolated Candida species was performed using E-test.


RESULTS
Results revealed that the prevalence of Candida species in diabetic individuals was higher when compared with non-diabetic healthy individuals. The most predominantly isolated species in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals from buccal cavity was Candida albicans. C. tropicalis was predominant among the non-albicans Candida isolated from both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Among denture wearers C. glabrata was predominant. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing shows that ketoconazole, fluconazole and itraconazole were effective against the isolated Candida species.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of candidal carriage in diabetic individuals is higher. Different species of Candida are present in the oral cavity of diabetic individuals. There may be a positive correlation between glycemic control and candidal colonization. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of Candia species are required for proper management and treatment of candidal infections.
Research and Development Centre, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi College of Arts and Science, Kathirkamam, Pondicherry 605009, India. Electronic address: lydiarajakumari@rediffmail.com.
M
M
Lydia Rajakumari
Department of Microbiology, Sree Narayana Guru College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
P
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Saravana Kumari
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
D000935:Antifungal Agents
Antifungal susceptibility test; Buccal samples; Candida species; Diabetic individuals; Espèces de Candida; Individus diabétiques; Pondicherry; Pondichéry; Sensibilité aux antifongiques; Échantillons buccaux