Evaluation of the Various Oral Candida Species among Patients on Hemodialysis: A Clinical Study

INTRODUCTION: Oral candidiasis develops as a result of an opportunistic infection. In patients on hemodialysis who may be immune-compromised, candida can change from a commensal to a pathogen. Identification and classification of Candida species are crucial for the treatment of these patients. To distinguish between distinct species of candida found in hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure‘s oral cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 people were investigated, including 50 patients with “Chronic Renal Failure (CRF)” on hemodialysis and 50 healthy controls. Using “Sabouraud‘s Dextrose Agar (SDA)” and “CHROM Agar Culture Media”, salivary samples were incubated for 24, 48, or 72 hours at 37°C to develop candida species. Colony forming units/milliliter, a unit of measurement for colonies, were counted and calculated (CFU). RESULTS: On SDA and CHROM agar medium, positive candidal growth was seen in the CRF with HD and Control Groups. There was a significant variance in the growth and the subspecies distribution of the colonies among the groups. The most common species was c.albicans followed by c. cruzi and tropical. Other subspecies were negligible. The number of colonies was also greater than 400 CFU in the majority of the dialysis subjects, while it was only 200 CFU for the majority of the controls. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic renal failure receiving hemodialysis showed significantly higher levels of candida isolation and differentiation than healthy individuals (P 0.05).