Prevalence of oral parameters in smokeless tobacco-associated precancer

AIM: To evaluate and correlate the prevalence of Candida species, salivary flow rate, pH, and buffer capacity of oral cavity in subjects with leukoplakia, tobacco pouch keratosis, and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, a total of 25 cases of leukoplakia, 25 of tobacco pouch keratosis, and 50 of healthy controls were studied. Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA) for the identification of Candida and HiCrome Candida differential Agar for the species identification of Candida were used. Calculation of salivary flow rate, pH, and buffer capacity was done with Saliva-Check Buffer kit (GC). RESULTS: The prevalence of Candida carriage obtained was considerably greater in the study group associated with smokeless tobacco use. NonCandida albicans Candida species predominated over Candida albicans in speciation among study groups on HiCrome agar and Candida albicans predominated among control groups. Statistically significant values were obtained by comparing the salivary flow rate, pH, and buffer capacity between the study groups and control groups. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated Candida prevalence was seen more in study group than healthy control groups, suggesting increased Candida in smokeless tobacco users. The prevalence of NonCandida albicans Candida species among leukoplakia and tobacco pouch keratosis indicates that there is pervasiveness of significant NonCandida albican Candida species in relation to salivary flow rate and buffer capacity. Therefore, the choice of antifungal treatment promptly must deal with not only resistance but, similarly, with the transformation in predominance from Candida albicans to NonCandida albicans Candida species. The numbers of sample study were considerably less to conclude such result hence, numbers of studies should be performed at larger scale in the particular area.