Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Cariogenic microorganisms play an important role in the development of caries. Although there are many researches on Streptococcus mutans as being a primary causative factor in caries, there is a lack in evaluation of relation between oral candidiasis and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of candida carriage, characterize different Candida species, and investigate their relationship with caries in 5-year-old children with S-ECC and with no caries.

METHODS

This study was conducted on a total of 42 children aged 5-years with (Group S-ECC, n=21) and without caries (control group, n=21). Plaque samples were taken from the buccal, lingual and cervical surfaces of the teeth using a sterile cotton swab and cultured on Sabouraud Agar, Patota Agar and Chrome Agar for fungal growth. Number of candida colonies were recorded, their species were identified and germ tube test was used for virulance marker.

RESULTS

The candidal carriage in the S-ECC and control groups was 52.4% and 9.5%, respectively. The intergroup difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). The incidence of C.albicans among all candida species was determined as 92%. The only isolated non-albicans Candida was C.Dupliniensis, the incidence in all candida species was 8 percent. The frequency of C.albicans was significantly higher in the S-ECC group (p=0.006). The virulence factor showed a significant difference between the groups (p=0.006).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This study shows a strong relation between the presence of candida and S-ECC. C.albicans was the most common among detected candida species.