ABSTRACT
Background: Oral candidiasis occur as an opportunistic infection. The transition of candida from commensal to pathogen is often associated with immune- compromised chronic renal patients receiving hemodialysis. Candida species identification and differentiation is important for treatment in these patients. Aim: To differentiate candida species present in the oral cavity of chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis. Material and Methods: A total of 120 individuals with study group (n=60) of chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemo- dialysis (CRF with HD) and control group (n=60) healthy individuals, were studied. Salivary samples were cultured for candida species using Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar (SDA) and CHROM agar culture media, for the growth of candida species in 24, 48 to 72 hours at 37ºC. Colonies were counted and quantitatively expressed as colony forming units/milliliter (CFU). Results: Positive candidal growth was seen on SDA and CHROM agar medium among CRF with HD and Control Groups, can- dida species were present in 55 (91.6%) and absent in 5(8.3%) and 57(95%) and absent 3(5%) in individuals respectively. Can- dida species differentiation in CRF with HD and Control groups were C. albicans (green colonies), C. Kruzei (pink colonies) and C. Tropicalis (blue colonies) were 46(81.6%), 6(10.0%), 2(3.3%) in CRF with HD cases while 45(75%) 11(18.3%) and 0(0%) in control cases respectively. Conclusion: Isolation and differentiation of candida was highly significant (p<0.05) in chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis than healthy individuals.