Isolation of Candida albicans from oral cavity of type II diabetic subjects and its relationship to total and differential white blood cell count

ABSTRACT

It is well known that oral candidiasis increase in many situations, like obesity, debility, leukemia, viral infection, use of certain drugs in addition to diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Candida albicans in the oral cavity of diabetic and non-diabetic subjects and to identify factors predisposing to colonization in the diabetic patient. The variables evaluated include absolute white blood cell counts and differentials, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, serum glucose, blood urea, serum creatinine and duration of diabetes. One hundred subjects of type II diabetes mellitus and one hundred non-diabetic subjects [control] were studied for isolation of Candida albicans from oral cavity. Further investigations for diabetic group were done regarding serum glucose, HbA1c, and total and differential white blood cell counts. This study showed 56 [56%] out of 100 diabetic subjects and 30 [30%] out of 100 in non-diabetic subjects were found to carry Candida in their oral cavity. In the diabetic group, no relationship was found to total or differential white blood cell count, recent use of antibiotics, serum glucose and HbA1c values. A significant relationship was found in diabetic patients who had chronic renal disease. Colonization of Candida albicans in the oral cavity was found to be higher in diabetic subjects than in non-diabetic. However, glycaemic control in diabetes, total and differential white blood cells were found to bear no relation with carriage of Candida in the oral cavity