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. 2015 May-Aug;19(2):158-63.
doi: 10.4103/0973-029X.164526.

Comparison of salivary flow and candidal carriage in patients with oral submucous fibrosis

Bhavana Gupta  1 , Shaleen Chandra  2 , Vineet Raj  1 , Vivek Gupta  3
Affiliations

Comparison of salivary flow and candidal carriage in patients with oral submucous fibrosis

Bhavana Gupta et al. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2015 May-Aug.

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.

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the salivary flow rate and salivary candidal carriage in OSMF patients and healthy individuals.

Materials and 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.

Result: 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.

Conclusion: 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.

Keywords: Candida albicans; Sabouraud dextrose agar; oral submucous fibrosis; salivary flow rate.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Candidal colony in Sabouraud dextrose agar media
Figure 2
Figure 2
Gram staining, showing candidal spores. (Gram stain, x100)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Periodic acid-Schiff technique showing candidal yeast cells recorded as a positive finding. (PAS stain, x100)
Figure 4
Figure 4
Human serum containing small inoculum from an isolated candidal colony
Figure 5
Figure 5
Germ tube formation in human serum. (Wet smear, x400)
Graph 1
Graph 1
There was statistically significant (P < 0.001) decreased salivary flow rate in the oral submucous fibrosis individuals as compared to the control./changes in the salivary flow rate between control and oral submucous fibrosis as a single group
Graph 2
Graph 2
Changes in the salivary flow rate between the groups of oral submucous fibrosis
Graph 3
Graph 3
Comparison of candidal isolation between control and oral submucous fibrosis as a single group
Graph 4
Graph 4
Comparison of candidal isolation between control and different grades of oral submucous fibrosis patients
Graph 5
Graph 5
Association/relation or comparison between salivary flow rate and Candida carriage
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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