Candida-associated denture stomatitis: clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological features

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Denture stomatitis is a prevalent oral condition, often linked to Candida species.
• Accurate identification and antifungal susceptibility are crucial for effective patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical manifestations of Candida-associated denture stomatitis.
• To characterize the epidemiological and microbiological features of Candida isolates.
• To determine the antifungal susceptibility profile of these isolates.

Main Methods:

• Oral mucosa and prosthesis samples were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and CHROMagar® Candida.
• Candida species identification was confirmed using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry.
• Clinical classification followed Newton's criteria (pinpoint, diffuse, granular hyperemia); antifungal susceptibility testing used the CLSI M27-S4 protocol.

Main Results:

• Candida albicans was the most prevalent species. Non-albicans species included Candida glabrata (oral mucosa) and Candida tropicalis (prosthesis).
• Pinpoint and diffuse hyperemia were the most common clinical presentations.
• Most Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida parapsilosis isolates were susceptible to all tested antifungals. One Candida tropicalis strain exhibited resistance to voriconazole.

Conclusions:

• Candida albicans is the predominant species in denture stomatitis.
• Antifungal drugs demonstrated significant activity against the majority of isolates.
• Newton's type I and type II hyperemia were the most frequent clinical manifestations observed.