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Published on: July 18, 2012
Detection of Candida by calcofluor white
Rashmi S K Bhavasar1, Santosh Kumar Goje, Anant Arunrao Takalkar
1Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Kamineni Institute of Dental Sciences, Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh, India. rashmi_bhavasar@rediffmail.com
Acta Cytologica
|October 26, 2010
Summary
Calcofluor white (CFW) staining is a superior diagnostic method for detecting Candida in oral precancer and cancer compared to traditional stains. This rapid and reliable technique offers higher detection rates in both cytology and histopathology samples.
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Mycology
- Diagnostic microbiology
Background:
- Oral precancer and cancer are significant health concerns with potential fungal involvement.
- Accurate detection of Candida species is crucial for diagnosis and management.
- Existing diagnostic methods have limitations in sensitivity and speed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of calcofluor white (CFW) staining.
- To compare CFW with Gram stain and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining.
- To assess Candida detection in oral precancer and cancer specimens.
Main Methods:
- Study included patients with precancer (n=45), cancer (n=45), and controls (n=45).
- Candida presence confirmed by culture, germ tube, and fermentation tests.
- Cytologic smears analyzed with Papanicolaou-CFW and Gram stains; tissue sections with PAS and CFW stains.
Main Results:
- Candida albicans was the most common species identified.
- A significant association of Candida was observed more frequently in oral cancer than precancer.
- CFW staining demonstrated higher Candida detection rates in both cytology (precancer: 48.88%, cancer: 60%) and histopathology (precancer: 40%, cancer: 55.55%).
Conclusions:
- Calcofluor white (CFW) staining is a simple, effective, rapid, and reliable diagnostic method.
- CFW shows superior performance in both cytopathology and histopathology for Candida detection.
- This method enhances diagnostic accuracy for Candida in oral precancer and cancer.
