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. 2017 May-Aug;21(2):316.
doi: 10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_231_16.

A relationship between salivary flow rates and Candida counts in patients with xerostomia

Suchetha Devendrappa Nadig  1 , Deepak Timmasandra Ashwathappa  2 , Muniraju Manjunath  2 , Sowmya Krishna  2 , Araleri Gopalkrishna Annaji  2 , Praveen Kunigal Shivaprakash  3
Affiliations

A relationship between salivary flow rates and Candida counts in patients with xerostomia

Suchetha Devendrappa Nadig et al. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2017 May-Aug.

Abstract

Context: Most of the adult population is colonized by Candida in their oral cavity. The process of colonization depends on several factors, including the interaction between Candida and salivary proteins. Therefore, salivary gland hypofunction may alter the oral microbiota and increase the risk for opportunistic infections, such as candidiasis. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the relationship between salivary flow rates (SFRs) and Candida colony counts in the saliva of patients with xerostomia.

Aims: This study aims to determine and evaluate the relationship between SFRs and Candida colony forming units (CFUs) in patients with xerostomia.

Settings and design: This study was a descriptive study.

Subjects and methods: The study participants were taken from the patients attending outpatient department in a private dental college. Fifty patients, who reported xerostomia in a questionnaire of the symptoms of xerostomia, were selected. Chewing stimulated whole saliva samples were collected from them and their SFRs were assessed. Saliva samples were inoculated in the Sabouraud dextrose agar culture media for 24-48 h, and Candida CFUs were counted.

Statistical analysis used: Chi-squared test was used to analyze the data.

Results: There was a significant inverse relationship between salivary flow and candida CFUs count when patients with high colony counts were analyzed (cutoff point of 400 or greater CFU/mL). Females had less SFR than males. Most of the patients who had hyposalivation were taking medication for the underlying systemic diseases. Candida albicans was the most frequent species.

Conclusions: There was a significantly negative correlation between SFRs and Candida CFUs in the patients with xerostomia.

Keywords: Candida colony forming units; medications; salivary flow rates; salivary gland hypofunction; xerostomia.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sterile graduated plastic tubes for collection of saliva
Figure 2
Figure 2
Culture plate with Sabouraud dextrose agar media showing Candida colonies
Figure 3
Figure 3
Culture plate with Chromagar media showing green-colored Candida albicans colonies
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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