ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Estimation of prevalence of Candida in the oral cavity of diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and three subjects of diabetes mellitus (49 Type 1 diabetes mellitus and 54 Type 2 diabetes mellitus) and one hundred non-diabetic subjects (control) were studied. RESULTS: 41(83.67%) out of 49 Type 1 diabetes mellitus, 37(68.52%) out of 54 Type 2 diabetes mellitus and 27(27%) out of 100 in non-diabetic subjects were found to carry Candida in their oral cavity. Colony Forming Unit (CFU) of Candida in the oral cavity ranking in groups was Type 1 diabetes mellitus > Type 2 diabetes mellitus > non-diabetic subjects. CONCLUSION: Colonization and carriage of Candida in the oral cavity was found to be higher in diabetic subjects than in non-diabetic subjects. However anti-diabetic therapy and glycaemic control in diabetes were found to bear no relation with carriage of Candida in the oral cavity.