Real-Time PCR Detection of Candida Species in Biopsy Samples from Non-Smokers with Oral Dysplasia and Oral Squamous Cell Cancer: A Retrospective Archive Study.

The impact of Candida sp. in the development of oral cancer remains uncertain and requires sensitive analytical approaches for clarification. Given the invasive capabilities of these microorganisms in penetrating and invading host tissues through hyphal invasion, this study sought to detect the presence of five Candida sp. in oral biopsy tissue samples from non-smoker patients. Samples were obtained from patients at varying stages of oral carcinogenesis, including dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, OSCC, and histologically benign lesions, and analyzed using Real-Time PCR. Oral tissue samples from 80 patients (46 males and 34 females) were included. Significantly higher C. albicans presence was detected in the mild/moderate dysplasia group compared to the healthy (p = 0.001), carcinoma in situ (p = 0.031) and OSCC groups (p = 0.000). Similarly, C. tropicalis carriage was higher in tissues with mild/moderate dysplasia compared to healthy (p = 0.004) and carcinoma in situ (p = 0.019). Our results showed a significant increase in the presence of C. albicans and C. tropicalis within the mild/moderate dysplasia group compared to other cohorts. Coexistence of these two microorganisms was observed, suggesting a potential transition from a commensal state to an opportunistic pathogen, which could be particularly linked to the onset of oral neoplasia.

Brush Biopsy Sample Quality: Preliminary Investigation of a Metal Brush Prototype

Objective: To qualitatively investigate whether a prototype brush composed of metal bristles collects oral epithelial cells effectively for cytological evaluation of oral mucosal lesions. Material and Methods: Twenty patients with suspicious oral mucosal lesions were enrolled. Patients were asked to gargle with saline and to deposit the oral rinse into specimen cup. Then, oral mucosal cell samples were collected using a metal oral brush, via sweeping motion. Punch biopsy was performed for histological examination. All samples were evaluated with liquid based cytology (LBC) according to the cellularity, the depth of the epithelial layer, cellular integrity by an oral pathologist. Results: Oral rinse provided samples with 100% cellular integrity and cellularity, mostly from the intermediary layers. With metal brush, both inadequate cellularity and cellular integrity was observed in 25% of the cases. Cellular integrity was adequate in 65%, cellularity was adequate in 45% of the lesions. Samples were dominantly from the intermediary layers, but in one case, metal brush collected cells from the parabasal layer. Conclusion: The narrow spiral pitch and width of metal bristles may have resisted to release the cellular samples collected. With adjustment of the spiral pitch and diameter of metal brush bristles, its' efficacy could be enhanced.