Abstract:
Purpose: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a high-risk precancerous condition that
predominantly affects Indian youngsters due to the habit of gutkha chewing. Candida may
play a role in the etiopathogenesis of premalignant and malignant lesions. The aim of this
study is to compare the incidence, intensity, and species of Candida found in OSMF patients
and healthy individuals.
Methods: This study included 20 OSMF patients and 20 healthy controls. A detailed history of
each patient was recorded along with a clinical examination. Samples were collected with the
oral rinse technique and cultured on Sabouraud’s agar medium. The isolated yeast species were
counted and identified based on Gram staining, a germ tube test, chlamydospore formation
and a sugar assimilation test.
Results: In total, 40% of OSMF patients and 15% of healthy controls yielded Candida organisms
on culture. C. albicans was the predominant species isolated, but C. krusei and C. tropicalis
were also identified. Gender, gutkha habit and clinical staging had no influence on the candidal
carriage in OSMF patients.
K Anila a
Kaveri Hallikeri a
Shubhada C b
Naikmasur VG c
R D Kulkarni b
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology,
S.D.M College of Medical Sciences & Hospital,
Dharwad, Karnataka, India
b Department of Microbiology, S.D.M College of
Medical Sciences & Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka,
India
c Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology,
S.D.M College of Medical Sciences & Hospital,
Dharwad, Karnataka, India
a
Conclusion: The incidence and intensity of Candida (primarily C. albicans) was greater in
OSMF patients than in healthy controls, but these findings were within the normal limit (3-47%).
Therefore, Candida may not be an etiologic factor in malignant transformation. However,
controversy still exists over whether the chewing of betel quid in cases of OSMF has an inhibitory
effect or promotes the adherence and invasion of Candida.