Oral candidal carriage among patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: A case-control study

Abstract

Introduction: Etiology of oral squamous cell carcinoma is multifaceted. The established risk factor include tobacco, alcohol, and immunodeficiency states with infections gaining an importance. Candid species has been implicated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The present study aims a determining the prevalence of Candida species in the saliva of patients with OSCC and healthy cohorts Materials and Methods: Unstimulated saliva was collected from patients with OSCC (n = 90) and ag and sex matched healthy subjects (n = 170). The samples were inoculated onto sabouraud dextrose aga and incubated for a week. The isolates were enumerated using a colony counter. The isolates wer identified using standard phenotypic methods. The significance of oral candidal carriage was calculate using chi-square test. Odds and risk ratio was calculated using pearson’s chi-square test. Result: Ora candidal carriage were present in 70% of patients with oscc, while healthy cohorts had a prevalence o 20%. The oral candidal carriage among OSCC patients in comparison to healthy cohorts was highl significant. (p = 0.0001). C. albicans and non-albicans Candida were equally distributed in the OSCC group. Colony-forming units were high among patients with oscc. Significant odds and risk ratio wa observed for the prevalence of Candida species among OSCC (p <0.001). Conclusion: The presen study shows significant association of oral candidal carriage with OSCC in comparison to health cohorts.