RESUMEN
Background: There is a debate as to whether some types of oral leucoplakias (OL) are caused by Candida species,and whether they contribute to the malignant transformation, associated with a minority of such lesions. As nodetailed population analysis of yeast isolates from OL is available, we evaluated the virulence attributes, and geno-types of 35 C. albicans from OL, and compared their genotypes with 18 oral isolates from healthy individuals.Material and Methods: The virulence traits evaluated were esterase, phospholipase, proteinase, haemolysin andcoagulase production, and phenotypic switching activity, and yeast adherence and biofilm formation. DNA fromOL and control yeasts were evaluated for A, B or C genotype status.Results: Phospholipase, proteinase, and coagulase activity and biofilm formation was observed in 80%, 66%, 97% and 77 % of the isolates, respectively. Phenotypic switching was detected in 8.6%, while heamolytic, and ester-ase activity and adherence were noted in all isolates.Conclusions: The genotype A was predominant amongst both the OL and control groups. Due to the small samplesize of our study a larger investigation to define the role of candidal virulent attributes in the pathogenicity of OLis warranted, and the current data should serve as a basis until then.(AU)
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Leucoplasia Bucal , Boca , Factores de Virulencia , Candida albicans/genética , Virulencia , EsterasasRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the proportion, known risk factors and etiology for Candida infection in leukoplakia lesions among patients with oral leukoplakia attending the Oral and Maxillofacial Clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sri Lanka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty clinically suspected oral leukoplakia patients were included. Two oral swabs each, from leukoplakia patients: one swab from the lesion and the other one from the contralateral unaffected corresponding area (as a control) were collected. Direct microscopy and culture followed by colony count and phenotypic identification were performed to identify pathogenic Candida species. RESULTS: Candida infection was seen in 47% of patients with oral leukoplakia. Candida albicans (94.7%) was the most common Candida species followed by Candida tropicalis (5.3%). Majority of Candida-infected lesions were seen in the buccal mucosa region. Alteration of taste (p = 0.021), having other oral lesions (p = 0.008), angular cheilitis (p = 0.024) and periodontitis (p = 0.041) showed a significant association with Candida-associated leukoplakia. Increasing age showed a significant tendency for Candida infection (p = 0.020). Smoking (p = 0.026) and betel-quid chewing (p = 0.006) were also found to be significantly associated, although alcohol consumption alone did not show a significant association. Oral leukoplakia patients who had all three habits: alcohol consumption, smoking and betel-quid chewing had a significant association with Candida infection (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who had a combination of risk factors: smoking, betel-quid chewing and alcohol consumption were seen to have a significant association with Candida infection. Further betel-quid chewing alone and smoking singly was also significantly associated with Candida infection in oral leukoplakia.
