Evaluation of candidal species among individuals with oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Context: Cancer afflicts almost all communities worldwide. Although it arises de novo in many instances, a significant proportion of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) develops from potentially malignant disorders (PMDs). Further, the association of Candida with various potentially malignant and malignant lesions has been reported as a causative agent. Aims: The aim of the study is to evaluate and intercompare the predominant candidal species among individuals with PMD and OSCC. Subjects and Methods: The swab samples were collected for the microbiological culture followed by incisional biopsy for histopathological confirmation. The swab samples were streaked and incubated on Sabouraud-dextrose agar medium and positive candidal colonies were incubated on CHROM agar for speciation. Settings and Design: A total of clinically diagnosed 95 subjects of which 25 as normal controls, 30 as PMDs and 40 as OSCC were included. The collected swab samples were initially streaked and incubated on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) medium, and later, only positive candidal colonies were incubated on CHROM agar for speciation. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test was utilized. Results: Positive candidal growth on SDA medium was seen in 24%, 43% and 82% and negative in 76%, 57% and 18% individuals of normal controls, PMDs and OSCC, respectively. On evaluation on Chromagar medium, Candida species was present in 20%, 40% and 77% and absent in 80%, 60% and 23% individuals among controls, PMDs and OSCC group, respectively. On speciation of Candida in CHROMagar among the controls, PMDs and OSCC, Candida albicans species was present in 4 (16%), 7 (23%) and 4 (10%); Candida krusei in 1 (4%), 5 (17%) and 10 (25%); Candida glabrata in nil, nil and 6 (20%) and Candida tropicalis in nil, nil, and 2 (5%) cases, respectively. Conclusion: There was predominant carriage of candidal species in PMDs and OSCC, but whether Candida has specific establishment in PMDs or in malignancy is still a matter of debate.

Candida albicans and Oral Carcinogenesis. A Brief Review

“…albicans infection can contribute to the carcinogenesis process like known carcinogenic substances even in animal models. In some cases of dysplasia there is a significant association between candidiasis and the increasing degree of dysplasia in oral potentially precancerous disorders, and between oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially precancerous disorders, but there is no significant correlation in epithelial dysplasia in mucous membranes affected by oral potentially precancerous disorders [73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80]. In some case reports with oral leukoplakia, C. albicans infection is significantly associated and furthermore this association is more marked if the oral leukoplakia is localized to the tongue, and in dysplastic and neoplastic forms of oral leukoplakia.…”

“…Finally, the formation of invasive hyphae of C. albicans occurs based on the production of IL1β, which activates the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The molecular investigation data have also identified, in C. albicans genotype A, significant colonization in oral squamous cell carcinoma lesions, postulating that genotypic diversity may affect the carcinogenic process [76][77][78][79][80].…”

Fungi and cancer

“…Culturing of mouth rinse samples showed an increase in frequency and load of viable yeasts in oral cancer patients that also positively correlated with the degree of dysplasia 58. This correlation was later confirmed to be specific for Candida 59 60. Similar associations were subsequently suggested to exist between oral fungal dysbiosis and other local cancer types.…”

Prevalence of Oral Mucosal Lesions in Patients With Psychiatric Disorders in a Tertiary Medical Center

“…13 Leukoplakia is one of the most prevalent oral mucosal disorders, having classified as potentially malignant disorders. 14 One of the key ascription is consumption of smokeless form of tobacco in this part of the world is very common practice. Apart from dental etiology stress is one of the key factors in pathogenesis of leukoplakia; elevation of salivary cortisol level is indicated with psychosomatic disorders.…”