Estimation of salivary Candida albicans counts in asthmatic adult patients taking anti-asthmatic medication for 3–5 years

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of airways. The disease itself along with the principal medication used makes the oral cavity susceptible to most common opportunistic infection, i.e., oral candidiasis. There are many species of Candida causing oral candidiasis, but the most prevalent among them is Candida albicans. Hence, assessing C. albicans count in response to disease and its treatment is necessary. This enables us to educate asthma patients about side effects of medication and highlight the necessity for oral health care, thereby improving their quality of life. AIMS: The present study aims to evaluate the effects of asthma and its medication on C. albicans count in saliva samples of asthmatic adult patients taking medication for 3–5 years and compare C. albicans count in saliva samples among cases and controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty asthmatic adults taking medication for asthma since 3–5 years' age ranging from 20 to 50 years and equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy participants were included in the study. In both groups, saliva was collected and inoculated on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar culture plates for estimation of C. albicans counts. C. albicans counts were assessed in colony-forming unit/milliliter. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Mann–Whitney U-test and Fisher's exact t-test were used. RESULTS: The C. albicans count is significantly higher among asthmatics than healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The present study concludes that there is increased candidal growth among asthmatics as compared to their normal healthy counterpart.