Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026
Author Spotlight: Exploring Photodynamic Therapy with Curcumin in a Murine Model for Oral Candidiasis
Published on: October 27, 2023
A meta-analysis of randomized trials assessing the effects of probiotic preparations on oral candidiasis in the
Ruixue Ai1, Jiao Wei1, Danhua Ma1
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Objective:
Oral candidiasis is the most common fungal infection and can be attributed in part to dysbiosis, an imbalance in the resident oral microflora. Therefore, probiotics, which counter pathogenic microorganisms through competitive, antagonistic, and immunological effects, have been used by some clinicians. To date, the effect of probiotics in preventing oral candidiasis in the elderly is controversial. A systematic review that summarizes and critically appraises the available clinical trials is therefore necessary.
Design:
Electronic searches were performed using the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Only randomized controlled trials were included. The Mantel-Haenszel test was used to appraise the odds ratio for single studies and an overall combined odds ratio for all studies combined.
Results:
Three studies matched the inclusion criteria and were homogeneous. The data from one study that estimated candida growth from plaque and saliva were subdivided, thus a total of four studies with 595 people were included. The overall combined odds ratio was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.38-0.77). Three studies provided that active treatment reduced the risk of oral candidiasis more than placebo: Hatakka et al. (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.97; 192 participants, plaque); Kraft-Bodi et al. (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.86; 174 participants, palatal); Kraft-Bodi et al. (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.98; 174 participants, plaque), while one study provided reverse result: Ishikawa et al. (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.48 to 3.58; 55 participants, saliva).
Conclusion:
Probiotics have a preventative effect on oral candidiasis in the elderly.
Insights
Probiotics can help prevent oral candidiasis, a common fungal infection, in elderly individuals. This systematic review found that probiotics significantly reduce the risk of this condition in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Oral health
- Microbiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Oral candidiasis is a common fungal infection often linked to oral microflora imbalance (dysbiosis).
- Probiotics are explored for their potential to counteract pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity.
- The efficacy of probiotics in preventing oral candidiasis in the elderly remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a systematic review and critical appraisal of clinical trials on probiotics for preventing oral candidiasis in the elderly.
- To synthesize evidence regarding the preventative effects of probiotics on oral candidiasis in geriatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases.
- Inclusion of only randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Meta-analysis using the Mantel-Haenszel test to calculate pooled odds ratios.
Main Results:
- Four RCTs involving 595 participants were analyzed.
- The overall combined odds ratio for oral candidiasis was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.38-0.77), indicating a reduced risk with probiotic use.
- Three studies showed a significant reduction in oral candidiasis risk with active probiotic treatment compared to placebo.
Conclusions:
- Probiotics demonstrate a preventative effect against oral candidiasis in the elderly population.
- The findings support the use of probiotics as a strategy to manage oral candidiasis in older adults.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
01:22Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption