Case study on prevalence of Candida spp. in patients with Denture Stomatitis at the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre, Guyana, South America.

Abstract

There are hundreds of microbes in the oral cavity, many of which are fungi. One of the most common forms of yeast infection is candidiasis, which is due to Candida albicans. This fungus is closely related to a pathology common among denture wearers known as Denture Stomatitis. The treatment of this pathological symptom is challenged by anti-fungal resistance exhibited by other species of Candida. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of various Candida species found in patients that have some form of denture stomatitis, identify a relationship between the possible causes of denture stomatitis, and to determine if certain Candida species are related to different types of denture stomatitis. Fifty-nine (59) Patients (29% male, 71% female) who presented with denture stomatitis at the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre (CJDC) were identified and swab samples were taken and cultured. Data was collected and analyzed using Chi square tests and Fisher’s exact tests. 56% of the population had Type II denture stomatitis, while 37% and 7% represented Type I and III denture stomatitis respectively. 95% of persons were positive for Candida infection. C. albicans was seen to be the most prevalent (60%) followed by, C. tropicalis (15%), C. krusei (14%), and C. glabarata (11%). It was concluded that there was no relationship between Candida spp. and the type of denture stomatitis that was present in the patients.