Frequency of Candida Spp. On the Anterior and Posterior Surfaces of Tongue Among Healthy Denture and Non-denture Wearers
Abstract Background: oral Candidiasis is the most common opportunistic infection that could affect the oral mucosa. Studies to date did not compare the colony count of candida of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the tongue. Objectives: hence, this study was aimed to compare the Candida spp. on the anterior and posterior surfaces of tongue among healthy denture and non-denture wearers.Methods: in current cross-sectional study, oral specimens were collected from anterior and posterior tongue dorsa by swabbing for mycological examination. Samples were collected from 26 healthy denture wearers (DW) and 10 non-denture wearers (NDW). All samples were cultured on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar (S) and chloramphenicol (SC) and chloramphenicol and cycloheximide (SCC) mediums. Isolated colonies were counted. Germ Tube test was performed to determine the albicans species. Data was collected and entered in SPSS software version 17. Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon nonparametric tests were used for statistical comparison of data due to non-compliance with normal distribution.Results: the higher density of isolated colonies were seen in denture wearer group comparing to others (P Value = 0.031). There was a significant difference between candida colonization of anterior and posterior of tongue (P Value = 0.006). C. Albicans was the most common isolated candida species.Conclusion: mycological findings of this study revealed that presence of denture can increase colonization of candida on the posterior surface of the tongue. It could be an important guide in choosing the best form for medicine management of oral candidiasis.