Evaluating the role of local host factors in the candidal colonization of oral cavity: A review update

Abstract

Human oral cavity is home to a number of organisms, Candida albicans being one of them. This review article aims at understanding the correlation between the oral candidal colonization and the local host factors that may influence it with special emphasis on congenital craniofacial anomalies such as cleft lip and palate (CLP). Various scientific databases were searched online and relevant articles were selected based on the inclusion criteria. A comparative study was done to understand the interdependence of various factors (including CLP) and oral candidal colonization. The results revealed a strong association of certain local host factors which may influence the oral colonization of Candida species. Factors such as mucosal barrier, salivary constituents and quantity of saliva, congenital deformities like CLP, oral prostheses such as dentures/palatal obturators and fixed orthodontic appliances (FOAs) were identified. All these factors may directly affect the growth of Candida in the oral cavity. Although numerous studies have pointed a positive correlation between Oral Candidal colonization and local host factors such as oral prostheses, FOA, and oral mucosal barrier only one study has been done, in the Indian subcontinent with respect to the correlation of candidal colonization and CLP. After the evaluation of all the factors mentioned in various case studies, it can be concluded that the presence of local host factors such as orofacial clefts, dental prostheses, FOA, xerostomia, and atrophy of the oral mucous membrane lead to significant increase in candidal colonization, but since very few studies in regard to CLP have been done worldwide and in India, in particular, further studies are warranted.

Oral flora and functional dysbiosis of cleft lip and palate patients: A scoping review

“…All the included articles were published between 1992 and 2022. These studies included two retrospective studies 25 -see Table 1, two review studies 26,27 -see Table 2, and the remaining (n = 28) were observational studies as shown in Table 3. Of these 28 observational studies, seven were prospective studies, [28][29][30][31][32][33][34] five were cohort studies, 2,23,35,36 ten were case-control studies, 11,16,17,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43] and finally, six were cross-sectional studies.…”

Candida albicans: An orthodontic point of view

“…Patients with xerostomia had a higher risk of developing oral candidiasis and oral fungal growth than non-xerostomia groups [13] . In addition, another study on the presence of local host factors, including xerostomia, orofacial clefts, dentures, fixed orthodontic appliances (FOA) and oral mucous membrane atrophy, found that these lead to a significant increase in Candida colonization [14] . C. albicans is the most common fungal infection, usually occurring in very young and older patients.…”

Limonene synergistically augments fluconazole susceptibility in clinical Candida isolates from cleft lip and palate patients

“…Studies show that the colonization rate of oral Candida species is high in CLP patients. [ 7 8 ] Children with CLP require several hospital visits and multiple surgeries at different stages of life till adulthood. Poor health status and use of orthodontic appliances and oral prosthetics increase the susceptibility of CLP patients to Candida -related infections as a result of poor health status.…”

“…Poor health status and use of orthodontic appliances and oral prosthetics increase the susceptibility of CLP patients to Candida -related infections as a result of poor health status. [ 7 9 ] C. albicans is the most isolated species, but other non-albicans Candida species including C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis , and C. krusei also contribute significantly. [ 10 11 ] Recurrent infections and development of resistance toward conventional antifungal drugs such as diflucan or fluconazole (FLC) make treatment of such secondary infections challenging.…”