Candidal Prevalence in Diabetics and its Species Identification

Candida species is a part of the normal mouth flora. Diabetes mellitus is a predisposing factor for the onset of oral candidiasis.

The objective of this study was to estimate salivary glucose in patient with diabetes and healthy individuals, to determine total candidal counts as well as different candidal species in the saliva of patients with diabetes and nondiabetics.

A sample size of 80 patients was taken. Out of 80 patients, 30 patients were uncontrolled diabetes patients (Group I), 30 patients were controlled diabetes patients (Group II), and 20 patients were healthy individuals (Group III).

From all the salivary samples, salivary glucose estimation was done using the glucose oxidase-peroxidase method. Candidal colony-forming units (CFUs) were determined from all the salivary samples. CHROMagar Candida medium was used for the identification of various Candida species.

One-way ANOVA was used to test for differences between the means of the three groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient test was used to evaluate the relationships between the variables.

The mean salivary glucose levels were higher in Group I followed by Group II and Group III. The mean candidal CFU was significantly higher in Group I than in Group II and Group III.

Candida glabrata was the predominant species found and more so in patients with diabetes and needs further study. Other common species isolated was C. albicans. Species identification can help in better treatment strategies and gain good control over the disease.