Comparison and correlation of candidal colonization in diabetic patients and normal individuals

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a common universal endocrine disorder with decreased host immunity towards infections. In these people the most common opportunistic infection is oral candidiasis. Oral candidiasis is most commonly caused by yeast like fungus Candida albicans. In healthy individuals these microorganisms are believed to be commensals but in diabetic patients, it forms severe colonization, even in the absence of any clinically evident oral candidiasis. This type of subclinical colonization can make them more prone to develop deeper mucosal colonization with further dissemination via blood. The aim of this study is to compare the frequency and severity of oral candidal colonization in diabetic patients with normal individuals through cytological method. METHODS: 30 cases of diabetic patients and 30 cases of normal healthy individuals were examined to determine the oral candidal colonization through oral exfoliative cytological methods. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi - square test. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in the candidal colonization was observed in diabetic patients as compared to normal individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Oral exfoliative cytological method is an easy and effective chair side technique to assess the oral candidal colonization in the diabetic group.