Oral lesions and colonization by yeasts in hemodialysis patients.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease, stage 5, undergoing hemodialysis treatment are frequently colonized by yeasts, with high chance of developing fungal infections. The objective of this study was to assess the presence of yeasts in the oral cavity of these individuals, associating findings with the presence of oral lesions and the use of dental prostheses. METHODS: Clinical examinations of the oral mucosa were performed in 52 patients, when the use of removable dental prostheses and the presence of oral lesions were observed and recorded. Saliva samples were collected to identify yeast specimens and colony-forming units. RESULTS: Colonization by yeasts was found in 42.31% of the patients, 100% of which belonging to the genus Candida, with the predominance of C. albicans (69.23%). Half of the patients (26) presented some type of oral lesion, the majority (63.33%) suggestive of candidiasis, which was confirmed in 57.89% of cases. The chance that these patients carried yeast colonies in the presence of dental prostheses and oral lesions was 6.33 and 2.62 times higher, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients investigated in this study presented a high incidence of yeasts in the oral cavity, with those with oral lesions and dental prostheses being more likely to carry yeasts. When oral lesions are detected in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment, particularly in those who are prosthesis users, early diagnosis and treatment of this type of lesion, in association with systemic investigations, should be performed to mitigate possible unfavorable prognoses.