Oral Candida carriage and species prevalence amongst habitual gutka‐chewers and non‐chewers

Abstract

Oral Candida colonisation is higher in tobacco smokers as compared to non-smokers; however, it remains unknown whether smokeless tobacco chewers are susceptible to increased oral Candida colonisation. The aim was to determine the oral Candida carriage and species prevalence amongst habitual gutka-chewers and non-chewers in a cohort from Karachi, Pakistan. Forty-five gutka-chewers and 45 non-chewers were included. Information regarding age, sex, duration of gutka-chewing habit, daily frequency of gutka consumption, duration of holding gutka in the mouth, daily frequency of tooth-brushing and tongue brushing was collected using a questionnaire. Oral yeast samples were collected by scraping the dorsum of the tongue and bilateral buccal mucosa with a sterile cotton swab. Identification of yeast species was performed using standard techniques. Tongue lesions were identified and recorded. Unstimulated whole salivary flow rate (UWSFR) was also measured. There was no significant difference in the mean age, UWSFR and oral Candida carriage among gutka-chewers and non-chewers. Individuals were chewing gutka since 4·4 years and were consuming five gutka sachets daily. Candida albicans (C. albicans) was the most common yeast species isolated from 57·8% gutka-chewers and 64.4% non-chewers. In 24.4% gutka-chewers and 22·2% non-chewers, two candidal strains (C. albicans and Candida tropicalis) were isolated. In conclusion, the present results indicated no significant difference in oral Candida carriage in habitual gutka-chewers and non-chewers.

Candidal carriage in saliva and subgingival plaque among smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis—a cross-sectional study

“…C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, and C. parapsilosis were the other candida subspecies found in the present study. C. krusei and C. tropicalis were higher in Group1 & 2 (Table 1) similar to earlier studies (Javed et al, 2014;Reichart et al, 2002). This suggests that this species may be particularly adapted to oral colonization as a constituent of normal human oral flora, with a potential to cause clinical infection.…”

ANTIFUNGAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF BIOFILM PRODUCING Candida albicans ISOLATED FROM ORAL CAVITY OF DIABETIC AND NON-DIABETIC POPULATION OF DHARAN, NEPAL

“…Candida has known to be opportunistic pathogen under immunosuppression and tobacco chewing conditions [6,7]. It is suggested that individuals chewing Gutkha are susceptible to oral Candida infections than non-chewers [8] .The greater prevalence and colonization of Candida in Gutkha consumers could be due to the presence of nicotine and hydrocarbons such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a nutritional source for Oral yeast facilitating its growth [7.8].…”

Oral Candida carriage and prevalence of Candida species among Maras powder users and non‐users

“…Oral Candida species are isolated from dental plaques . The prevalence of oral Candida colonization is higher in people with poor oral hygiene (e.g., those with high plaque scores and gingival bleeding indices) compared with those with good oral hygiene . We think that poorer oral hygiene in the Maras powder users might have contributed to oral Candida carriage in this study.…”

“…Two studies on Candida carriage in betel quid (a kind of smokeless tobacco) users and non-users showed the rates of Candida carriage to be 70.8% and 90% in the users and 61% and 86% in the non-users, without a significant difference (7,26). A study by Javed et al from Pakistan revealed the rate of Candida carriage was 57.8% among habitual gutka (another smokeless tobacco) chewers and 64.4% among non-chewers; however, no significant difference was noticed (P > 0.05) (27). Inconsistent rates of Candida carriage reported in the literature can be attributed to difference in tobacco content and use, diet, genetic characteristics, and study population-related variables (gender, age, race, and systemic diseases).…”

“…A study by Javed et al. from Pakistan revealed the rate of Candida carriage was 57.8% among habitual gutka (another smokeless tobacco) chewers and 64.4% among non‐chewers; however, no significant difference was noticed ( P > 0.05) . Inconsistent rates of Candida carriage reported in the literature can be attributed to difference in tobacco content and use, diet, genetic characteristics, and study population‐related variables (gender, age, race, and systemic diseases).…”