Quantification and Pathogenicity of Candida albicans in Denture-Wearing and Nondenture-Wearing Elderly

Objective The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the microbial loads and pathogenicity traits of oral Candida albicans in denture-wearing (DW; n = 15) and nondenture-wearing (NDW; n = 15) elderly persons. Materials and Methods The fungal counts of the saliva, tongue dorsa, and prosthesis-fitting surfaces of the participants were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction to compare the quantity and expression of selected C. albicans biofilm-associated genes ( ALS3 , HWP1 , and YWP1 ). Statistical Analysis The obtained data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, followed by Bartlett’s test. When appropriate, the Student’s t -test was also used; a value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results In both groups, the count of C. albicans was found to be significantly higher in saliva than in other oral samples. The expression of the hypha-specific genes ( ALS3 and HWP1 ) in the tongue dorsa was higher in the DW group ( p < 0.05), whereas the transcription level of the yeast-specific gene ( YWP1) was significantly higher in the NDW group. Conclusion Both tongue dorsa and dentures appear to be sharing factors that are important for C. albicans biofilm growth in abiotic and biotic oral surfaces of the elderly.