Estimating the frequency of Candida in oral squamous cell carcinoma using Calcofluor White fluorescent stain

Abstract

The presence of Candida in OSCC solely does not justify its role in carcinogenesis. Further appraisal to evaluate a direct causal role of the micro-organism in potentially malignant disorders and OSCC is required.

Fluorescence staining vs. routine KOH smear for rapid diagnosis of oral candidiasis—A diagnostic test

“…The exfoliated cells were smeared onto slides, stained by the addition of a fluorescent dye (Jiangsu Lifetime Biological Technology Co. Ltd) and observed under a fluorescence microscope (OLYMPUS BX51, 340 ~ 400 nm, Japan); in addition, all samples were subjected to a routine 10% KOH smear test. Fluorescein‐labelled chitinase can specifically bind to chitin in the cell wall of fungi, and the fungi then emit bright blue/green fluorescence (Chen, ; Luo et al, ; Sanketh et al, ). The smear results were recorded as positive if the hyphae exhibiting blue/green fluorescence were captured.…”

“…Accumulated evidence has shown that fluorescence staining has good diagnostic efficacy in diagnosis of tinea unguium, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, corneal fungal infection and deep fungal infections (Chen et al, ; He et al, ; Higareda‐Almaraz et al, ). The mechanism involves binding of fluorescent dyes, including calcofluor white (CFW), fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and acridine orange (AO), among others (Chick & Behar, ; Moussa, Tayel, & Al‐Turki, ; Sanketh, Patil, & Rao, ), to cellulose or chitin in the cell wall of the fungal through a chemical bond (Roncero & Duran, ; Roncero, Valdivieso, Ribas, & Duran, ). In recent few years, another fluorescent reagent, fluorescently labelled chitinase, has been found to specifically and quickly bind to cellulose or chitin in the fungal cell wall with high affinity (Luo et al, ).…”

Clinical Appearance of Oral Candida Infection and Therapeutic Strategies

“…The hyperplastic candidiasis mainly presents as chronic form. It has been commonly referred previously by several authors as ‘candidal leukoplakia.’ Clinically, it may manifest as one of the two variants; homogeneous adherent white plaque-like or erythematous multiple nodular/speckled type ( Holmstrup and Bessermann, 1983 ; Sanketh et al, 2015 ). The lesions usually occur bilaterally in the commissural region of the buccal mucosa and less frequently on the lateral border of the tongue and palate ( Figure 3 ).…”

“…There appears to be a positive association with smoking and in addition may present with varying degrees of dysplasia ( Williams and Lewis, 2011 ). A confirmed association between Candida and oral cancer is yet to be recognized, although in vitro studies have shown that the candida organisms can generate carcinogenic nitrosamine ( Farah et al, 2010 ; Sanketh et al, 2015 ). A small percentage of cases occur in association with iron and folate deficiencies and with defective cell-mediated immunity.…”

Commensal and pathogen: Candida albicans

“…(10,13) It occurs in two variants that are homogeneous adherent white plaque or erythematous multiple nodular/ speckled type. (14,15) This type has positive association with smoking and may have varying degrees of dysplasia. It can also occur in association with iron and folate deficiencies and with defective cell mediated immunity.…”