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Oral Colonization and Virulence Factors of Candida spp. in Babies With Cleft Palate

Patrícia Tolentino da Rosa de Souza1, Nilza Cristina Valor Gonçalves-Wilhelmsen2, Rosimeire Takaki Rosa1

  • 1Pontifical Catholic University from Paraná, School of Life Sciences, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal : Official Publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
|July 14, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Oral Candida colonization is higher in infants with cleft palate, especially those using orthodontic plates. Candida albicans is the most common species, but virulence factors showed no clear patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Oral microbiology
  • Pediatric infectious diseases

Background:

  • Cleft palate (CP) can affect oral health in infants.
  • Candida species are common oral inhabitants, but their role in CP needs further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate oral colonization and virulence factors of Candida species in infants with cleft palate.
  • To compare colonization and candidosis prevalence between infants with cleft palate (with and without orthodontic plates) and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Saliva samples were collected from 60 infants (0-18 months) across three groups: cleft palate (CP), CP with orthodontic plate (CPwP), and control (Ctrl).
  • Candida species identification and quantification were performed.
  • Virulence factors (hydrophobicity, protease, esterase, phospholipase, hemolysin) were assessed semiquantitatively.

Main Results:

  • Candida colonization was detected in 89.5% of CP, 100% of CPwP, and 44% of Ctrl groups.
  • Candidosis was significantly more reported in cleft groups (P ≤ .023) compared to controls.
  • Candida albicans was the predominant species, followed by C. krusei, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis. Virulence factor expression varied without clear patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Candida colonization is prevalent in infants, particularly those with cleft palate and orthodontic plates.
  • Infants with cleft palate, especially those using orthodontic plates, experience higher rates of candidosis.
  • Candida albicans is the dominant species, but virulence factor expression does not correlate with specific species or patient groups.
Abstract

Keywords:
Candida sppcleft palatevirulence factors

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