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Oral microbial colonization in children with sickle cell anaemia under long-term prophylaxis with penicillin

Bruno Mello de Matos1, Zulene Eveline Abreu Ribeiro1, Ivan Balducci1

  • 1Institute of Science and Technology, Universidade Estadual Paulista/UNESP, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.

Archives of Oral Biology
|June 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) have higher oral yeast levels, potentially due to long-term penicillin therapy. This study found uncommon fungal species in SCA patients, though caries prevalence was similar to controls.

Area of Science:

  • Oral microbiology
  • Paediatric hematology

Background:

  • Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a common inherited blood disorder.
  • Children with SCA receive long-term prophylactic penicillin treatment.
  • The impact of this therapy on oral microflora is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate oral microbial colonization in paediatric patients with SCA.
  • To assess the effect of prophylactic penicillin on oral microflora in children with SCA.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 40 children (4-11 years) with SCA (genotype SS) on penicillin prophylaxis.
  • Included an age/gender-matched control group of healthy children.
  • Assessed caries prevalence (dmft/DMFT), salivary flow rate, buffering capacity, and microbial counts (mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, yeasts).
  • Identified yeasts using API 20C AUX and PCR.

Main Results:

  • Similar caries prevalence (dmft/DMFT) was observed between SCA patients and controls.
  • Significantly higher oral yeast levels were found in the SCA group.
  • Lower salivary buffering capacity was noted in controls.
  • Uncommon fungal species, including Candida dubliniensis, Candida rugosa, and Candida sphaerica, were identified exclusively in the SCA group.

Conclusions:

  • Paediatric patients with SCA exhibit significantly elevated oral yeast levels.
  • The oral microflora of SCA patients can harbor uncommon fungal species.
  • Caries prevalence and counts of key cariogenic bacteria (lactobacilli, streptococci) were comparable between SCA patients and controls.
Abstract

Keywords:
CariesChildrenMicroorganismMouthSickle cell anaemia

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