Oral <i>Candida</i> in β-thalassemia Major and Healthy Population and Their Fluconazole Susceptibility Pattern

Abstract

Objective: Candida constitutes the main yeast flora in the oral cavity. Different species are known with C. albicans being the principal one. In healthy individuals, the balance among the oral microbial flora is maintained. However, this equilibrium might be altered in certain diseases resulting in the predominance of yeast flora over other microorganisms and behave as pathogens. Thalassemias constitute a large group of immunocompromised patients in our country with multiple hematological, immunological and endocrine disorders making them susceptible to local and systemic opportunistic yeast infections. Fluconazole is a globally used antifungal antibiotic especially in treating recurrent infections in immunocompromised patients. Little is known about the oral yeast carriage in the healthy individuals and thalassemic patients in our population, and their susceptibility pattern to fluconazole. This study has been done to assess the frequency of oral Candida carriage in a group of β-thalassemia major patients and sex and age-matched healthy controls, and to evaluate the susceptibility pattern of the isolates to fluconazole.

In vitro antifungal activity of essential oils from local plants against fluconazole-resistant oral Candida albicans isolates

“…20 This study was conducted to assess the antifungal activity of the laboratory extracted Rosemary and Thyme EOs against fluconazole-resistant C. albicans strains isolated from the oral cavity of healthy and diseased individuals from our population. 4 In the present study, it was found that both EOs exhibited significant antifungal activity against C. albicans. In spite of the higher inhibitory activity of Thyme EO using disk diffusion method (Mean ± SD: 42.4 ± 6.5) in comparison to the recorded data regarding Rosemary EO (Mean ± SD: 11.8 ± 2.8), the statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two means.…”

“…1,2 In the oral cavity, among various Candida species, Candida albicans (C. albicans) comprises the most prevalent one in health and disease. 3,4 It is an opportunistic pathogen as it usually causes infection in individuals with low or suppressed immunity. 5,6 Fluconazole is one of the widely used azole drugs in the clinical settings to treat infections caused by C. albicans or in the prophylaxis to prevent recurrent candidiasis in immunocompromised patients.…”

Effects of Iron Accumulation on Dental Caries, Gingivitis, and Candida albicans Infection in Children with Beta Thalassemia Major: A Narrative Review

“…The weakened immune system in patients with beta thalassemia major causes immune system abnormalities such as a disturbance in neutrophil and macrophage chemotaxis, phagocytosis and B-lymphocyte cell differentiation, leading to Candida albicans penetration into the tissue. 63 Repeated blood transfusions cause the accumulation of iron in salivary glands and triggers the formation of non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI), which can circulate in plasma and trigger the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are highly active molecules that can cause cell apoptosis and epithelial tissue damage.…”