1Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
2Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
3Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Online published on 18 March, 2017.
Candida species, a normal commensal of the oral cavity found in healthy individuals, but can become an opportunistic pathogen when the oral ecosystem is unbalanced. Several virulence attributes have been identified in candidal infection, among which are the hydrolases, including the secreted Aspartyl proteinases (Saps). This study evaluated and compared the level c.f.u of Candida albicans and SAP level among the patients of leukoplakia, eryhtroplakia, OSMF (oral sub mucous fibrosis) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and control samples, followed by the study of hyphae in tissue specimen of patients. Candida c.f.u at 48 hr was also assessed. The hyphae level was assessed by histopathology in samples of the patients undergone biopsy.
The present study was carried out to identify the correlations between oral carriage of Candida in oral precancer and cancer. The aims were; 1) to assess the presence and levels of Candida colonization in precancer and cancer patients, 2) to assess the presence or absence of Candidal hyphae in biopsy specimens, 3) to correlate the number of colony forming units of Candida with hyphae level and sap level in specimens of precancer, cancer and control samples.
Clinical isolates of C. albicans were obtained from the oral cavity of five different groups. Culturing of isolates was done on SDA media. Speciation of Candida was performed by performing germ tube test. Histopathology was done to study hyphae level. Spectrophotometric analysis of SAP level was performed.
Hyphae levels and CFU were higher in individuals with leukoplakia and OSCC than in control (P = 0.001); however, there was no significant difference in hyphae levels or CFU in control (P = 0.529). Further, a correlation between CFU, hyphae level and SAP level was also observed at all the stages.
The increasing SAP level and hyphae of C. albicans in individuals biopsy tissue of patients with leukoplakia, erythroplakia to OSCC suggests that this pathogen plays a role in disease development and could aid in identifying the pathogenic commensal. This research may help us to understand the pathogenecity of oral Candida isolated from precancer and cancer patients in India, and would assist in getting the accurate treatment in clinical practice.
Candida albicans, Pathogenecity, Oral precancer, Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)
