Exploring Oral Candidiasis in Hemodialysis Patients: Candida Species and Associated Risk Factors.

Background: Dialysis patients, often immunocompromised, are highly susceptible to infectious diseases, including oral candidiasis, the most common mycotic infection of the oral mucosa.

Objective: To identify risk factors for oral candidiasis in dialysis patients to improve management strategies.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Birjand, Iran, involving 158 dialysis patients. Oral samples were cultured on CHROMagar Candida medium, with Candida species identified using colony color and molecular techniques. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of oral candidiasis.

Results: Of the 158 patients, 69 (43.7%) tested positive for oral candidiasis, yielding 97 Candida isolates. Candida albicans was the most prevalent species (55.7%), followed by Candida glabrata (22.7%). Significant predictors of oral candidiasis included longer dialysis duration (OR = 7.48; 95% CI = 1.31-2.05; p < 0.001), male gender (OR = 3.07; 95% CI = 1.12-8.39; p = 0.02), and smoking (OR = 7.48; 95% CI = 1.98-28.31; p = 0.003).

Conclusion: Oral candidiasis is a prevalent opportunistic infection in dialysis patients, particularly among men, smokers, and those with extended dialysis duration. Enhanced screening, especially in developing countries, may be useful to address this often-overlooked condition.