Objectives: Tobacco consumption is of major concern for public health. Compromised oral hygiene accentuated by tobacco leads to alteration in the oral mucosa and microbiome, including Candida, and its species can be identified rapidly using CHROMagar. Curcumin, a naturally available compound possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic, anti-fungal, and immunomodulatory properties. Hence, a comprehensive study was planned. Aim: To evaluate and compare cytomorphometric analysis and Candida colonization and speciation in tobacco users before and after the use of curcumin gel. Materials and Methods: The study comprised a total of 120 participants (the study (tobacco habit) group, n = 60 and control (healthy) group, n = 60). The intervention was the application of curcumin gel over the lesion area three times daily for 2 months. All participants’ oral health status was assessed, followed by cytomorphometric analysis and Candida colonization and speciation using CHROMagar. Results: Cytomorphometric analysis showed statistically significant differences in the control and study group for cell diameter (CD), nuclear diameter (ND), CD: ND ratio, and micronuclei (p = 0.0001). Candida colonization had a significantly higher number of colonies in the habit group when compared to the control group. Candida tropicalis was predominant in the study group, whereas Candida albicans was predominant in the control group. In the study group, after intervention with curcumin, a statistically significant difference was seen in nuclear diameter, CD: ND ratio, and micronuclei. There was a reduction in the number of Candida colonies, and Candida albicans was the predominant species observed in the study group after the intervention of curcumin and discontinuation of habit. Conclusion: Curcumin was found to reduce the number of micronuclei and also decreased Candida colonization, along with the discontinuation of habit in tobacco users.

Introduction & Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has been raging across the globe since early January 2020. India has reported over 27 million cases and more than 3, 00,000 deaths. This study was planned to analyze the differences in demographic, clinical features, and oral manifestations of COVID 19 patients hospitalized during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This observational pilot study had a total of 36 participants, 12 each of mild, moderate, and severe RT-PCR positive COVID cases hospitalized during the COVID 19 pandemic. All demographic, clinical features, treatment details, and oral manifestations were noted from the first day of admission to the hospital till treatment completion with a follow-up of a minimum of 7 days. Results: Mean age of the patients was 39.44 years with M: F ratio of 5:4. Most common clinical presentation was fever, shortness of breath, and treatment involved was symptomatic with supplemental oxygen & mechanical ventilation. The most common oral site involved was the tongue & oral lesions observed were herpes labialis, mucositis, burning sensation, dryness of oral cavity, angular cheilitis, aphthous ulcers, geographic tongue, fissuring of the tongue, candidiasis, coated tongue, sublingual varicosity, & scalloped tongue. Interpretation and Conclusion: All demographic, clinical, and oral manifestations were significantly different in mild, moderate, and severe cases of covid hospitalized patients. Though clinical symptoms were improved, oral lesions were worsened. Oral Lesions seen in covid patients were associated with multiple drug therapy for illness along with poor oral hygiene, but further etiology for lesions needs to be evaluated. Sublingual varicosity was observed in our hospitalized covid patients, but a large sample observation is required for confirmation of findings and maybe an early oral feature for covid detection. Prevention is always better than cure, so all patients positive for Covid should have a full mouth examination. Oral health should be a priority during the overall management of COVID patients and dentists should be a part of the Covid management team. Key Words: Oral Lesions, COVID 19, Sublingual varicosity, Candidiasis, Tongue.