Evaluation of prevalence of Candida species in the root canals and oral cavity of children and adult patients

Background: Fungi are oral commensal in about half of general population and its largest proportion is made up of Candida species. Candida causes wide variety of infections in human beings. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of Candida species in root canals and oral cavities of children and adults. Material and methods: Swabs from oral cavities of 100 patients were collected and subjected to culture on Sabourad’s dextrose agar and chromogenic Candida differential agar. Results: Prevalence of oral candida in healthy children and adults belonging to control group was 8% and 4% respectively. Prevalence rate of Candida in root canals of children was 4 (16%) and in adults 1( 4%). Out of 50 samples collected from oral cavities of children, 6 (12%) were positive for Candida comprising of 5(83%) Candida albicans and 1(17%) Candida tropicalis. From 50 adult subjects, only 2 samples were positive for Candida i.e 1(4%) Candida parapsilosis and 1(4%) Candida albicans. Conclusion: Candida albicans was found to be the most common isolated species of Candida from the oral cavity in children with or without caries. Hence, presence of carious lesion has no effect on Candidial colonization of oral cavity in both children and adults.