Oral carriage of cariogenic bacteria and Candida albicans in asthmatic adults before and after anti-asthma medication: A longitudinal study

BACKGROUND: Antiasthmatic medications such as β2 agonists and corticosteroids have shown potential side effects such as increased caries risk and oral candidiasis. Studies evaluating microbial changes in adult asthmatics are very scanty in the literature. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of asthma and its medication on cariogenic bacteria and Candida albicans in adult asthmatics. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate and compare counts of Streptococcus mutans (SM) and lactobacilli in plaque and C. albicans in saliva samples of adult asthmatics with controls and during the course of medication longitudinally. METHODOLOGY: Samples were collected from twenty recently diagnosed asthmatic adults and twenty controls for estimation of microbial counts at baseline and at 3(rd) and 6(th) month after initiation of medication among cases. RESULTS: Asthmatics at baseline had higher microbial counts than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. Comparison between asthmatics at baseline and 3(rd) month after initiation of medication showed an increase in counts of SM, lactobacilli and decreased C. albicans counts though the difference was not significant. Comparison between asthmatics at baseline and 6(th) month and also between 3(rd) and 6(th) month showed significantly increased counts of SM. Although there was an increase in counts of lactobacilli and decreased C. albicans counts, significant results were not noted. Asthmatics showed increased microbial counts than controls overall. CONCLUSION: Asthmatics were found to have higher microbial counts than controls at baseline. Increase in SM and lactobacilli counts in asthmatics after medication emphasizes the need to monitor these patients regularly.