Oral Distribution of Genera, Species and Biotypes of Yeasts in Patients with Marginal Periodontitis

Abstract

Yeasts can be members of the commensal flora in the healthy human mouth. They have also been found in periodontal pockets of patients with marginal periodontitis, but little is known about their distribution in other oral sites of such patients. The aim of the present study was to examine the distribution of genera, species and biotypes of yeasts in various sites of oral cavities of patients with chronic marginal periodontitis. Samples were taken from the periodontal pockets, buccal mucosa and palate of 70 marginal periodontitis patients and 45 healthy individuals. After cultivation yeast colonies were selected according to morphology and the biotype was determined by a commercial kit (ID 32C, bioMérieux, France). Oral yeasts were detected in 34.3% of the marginal periodontitis patients and 42.2% of the healthy subjects. Among the sites examined, the buccal mucosa was the major site for yeasts, being colonized in 31.4% of the marginal periodontitis patients and in 35.6% of the healthy subjects. Two genera (Candida and Saccharomyces), four species (C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. parapsilosis and S. cerevisiae) and 19 biotypes were identified from the marginal periodontitis patients, while one genus (Candida), two species (C. albicans and C. dubliniensis) and 11 biotypes were obtained from the healthy subjects. C. albicans was the most dominant species in all the oral sites. Among the other Candida species, C. dubliniensis dominated, being most prominent in the periodontal pockets. Two biotypes (7146340015 and 7347340015) of C. albicans and one biotype (7142100015) of C. dubliniensis were predominant in the marginal periodontitis patients, whereas three biotypes (7146340015, 7147340015 and 7347340015) of C. albicans dominated in the healthy subjects. The differences in the distribution of yeast species and biotypes may suggest cell, tissue or site tropism in oral yeast colonization.

Genotypic variation of Candida albicans during orthodontic therapy

“…The predominance of a single biotype of Candida albicans in candidal carriers, as noted here, has been reported previously (34)(35)(36)(37). Recently, Song et al reported three predominant biotypes of Candida albicans obtained from healthy subjects in Sweden, one of which was the same biotype as ours (7347340015) (12).…”

Genetic relatedness of oral yeasts within and between patients with marginal periodontitis and subjects with oral health

“…Yeasts of the marginal periodontitis group were more genetically diverse than yeasts of the oral health group because of its larger S AB range, lower average S AB value and three unique genetic clusters in the pooled dendrogram. Yeasts of the same marginal periodontitis group also showed higher diversity in colony morphology and biotype than yeasts of the oral health group (3). This implies some association between yeast phenotype and genetic attributes in health and disease.…”

“…Yeasts are regarded as opportunistic commensals in the human mouth. Mucosal surfaces are the primary oral body reservoirs for these microorganisms (1–3). Yeasts can also be found in dental plaque (3, 4).…”

“…Mucosal surfaces are the primary oral body reservoirs for these microorganisms (1–3). Yeasts can also be found in dental plaque (3, 4). Increasing evidence shows that Candida can be associated with periodontal destruction in immunodeficient patients (5–7); however, it is unclear whether subgingival Candida strains participate in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease in general.…”

“…Patient group –– Seventy patients (35 males and 35 females) with marginal periodontitis were chosen from the patients who came for periodontal treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo. The criterion for patient inclusion was at least two teeth with periodontal pockets deeper than 5 mm (3). The exclusion criteria were full or partial maxillar or mandibular dentures, oral mucosal lesions, usage of antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and irradiation therapy in the last 3 months, pregnancy, endocrine disorders, malignancies, immunodeficiencies, and malnutrition.…”