Oral Candida Colonization as a Risk Factor for Chronic Inflammation and Atherosclerosis in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral Candida spp. in HD patients and to investigate its relation with systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis. Microbiological samples were taken from buccal mucosa, palate, and dental prosthesis with a cotton swab. High‐sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and IL‐6 were measured as inflammation markers. A total of 69 patients (58% male and median age 62 years) were enrolled in this study; 53.6% of total patients had oral Candida colonization. HsCRP and IL‐6 levels were found to be significantly higher in the oral Candida colonization positive group than in the Candida colonization negative group (P = 0.002 and P = 0.01, respectively). HDL levels were significantly lower in the Candida colonization positive group (P = 0.03). Peripheral artery disease (P = 0.05) and oral Candida colonization (P = 0.002) were significantly associated with inflammation. In addition to conventional risk factors such as age (P = 0.03), diabetes (P = 0.001), and peripheral artery disease (P = 0.002), oral Candida colonization is associated with coronary artery disease (P = 0.04). Oral Candida colonization might be associated with chronic inflammation and development of atherosclerosis in HD patients.

Preventive dental care reduces risk of cardiovascular disease and pneumonia in hemodialysis population: a nationwide claims database analysis

“…Furthermore, dental caries 9 , decayed-missing-filled teeth index 10 , and poor oral hygiene 9 , 10 were associated with mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis 9 . Previous reports have also revealed the dental-related diseases with major causes of death under hemodialysis maintenance; for example, between dental caries and aortic calcification 11 , as well as between oral candidiasis and infectious diseases 12 . Recent studies have emphasized the effectiveness of periodontal therapy in suppressing fatal events such as CVD 3 , infectious disease 13 , and mortality 3 in patients undergoing hemodialysis.…”

Candida albicans Induces Foaming and Inflammation in Macrophages through FABP4: Its Implication for Atherosclerosis

“…It can cause infections ranging from mild illness to systemic, life-threatening candidiasis [ 2 , 8 ]. C. albicans induces inflammation in the vascular wall [ 8 , 9 ]. Macrophages play a major role in the inflammatory progression observed in atherosclerosis.…”