Evaluation of candidal carriage in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Aims: The present study estimates the candidal carriage and species recognition in whole unstimulated saliva of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and healthy individuals. Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of isolation and quantitative differences in candidal carriage and species recognition in healthy controls and OSCC patients. Materials and Methods: The sample for the present study comprised a total of 30 OSCC patients and 30 healthy controls. The present study was conducted in the Department of Oral Pathology in collaboration with the Departments of Biochemistry and Microbiology at SDM College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Sattur, Dharwad. The subjects included in this study were selected from the Craniofacial Unit, Oral Medicine SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad and Cancer Hospital, Navanagar, Hubli and were categorized into Group I, comprising healthy volunteers and patients with good oral hygiene and no systemic disorders (healthy controls; 30), and Group II, comprising clinically known OSCC patients who were confirmed histopathologically (OSCC; 30) with Well Differentiated-22, Moderate Differentiated-7, Poorly Differentiated-1. The subjects included in this study were randomly selected from among the patients who were referred to the Department of Oral Pathology for various investigations. The consent for this study was obtained from them after the disclosure of necessary information. The complete history was taken from each subject. The details of each subject′s habits, especially of the use of tobacco and smoking, were specifically sought. In the present study, the OSCC cases have been graded histopathologically based on Broder′s system of classification. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from both groups and inoculated onto the Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) plate. The germ tube test, sugar assimilation test, and cornmeal agar morphology were used for the identification of species of Candida. Results: Candida albicans was the predominant species to be isolated in OSCC patients. Other common Candida species isolated from the same group were Candida guilliermondii, Candida krusei, C. tropicalis, and Candida kefyr. Interpretation and Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that the elevated candidal carriage, especially if based on the colony-forming units (CFUs) of C. albicans in OSCC patients, could be a future tumor marker, and this aspect of the study has to be addressed and evaluated extensively. Salivary parameters offer the scope for detailed future research on their applications in the screening, diagnosis, and management of cancer.