The relationship of myceliated colonies of Candida albicans with denture stomatitis: an in vivo/in vitro study.

PURPOSE: Switching from smooth to myceliated colonies, a virulent trait of Candida albicans, may be implicated in Candida-associated denture stomatitis. The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between the presence of denture stomatitis and the frequency of myceliated colonies of C. albicans isolates in denture wearers. Prevalence of denture stomatitis and influence of putative risk factors were also investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic and clinical data concerning oral and general health, smoking, denture status, diet, and hygiene habits of 40 complete maxillary denture wearers were collected from an autoevaluation questionnaire and oral examination. Detection of C. albicans in denture plaque and evaluation of hairy phenotype colonies were carried out on low nutrient media. Eleven subjects were followed-up at 1 month and 3 months after delivery of a new prosthesis. Results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Prevalence of denture stomatitis was 77.5%. No statistically significant relation was found between presence of stomatitis and frequency of myceliated colonies of C. albicans or presence of yeast. However, the study confirmed a statistically significant difference between Newton types IA and IIB stomatitis in relation to yeast colony-forming units, which were more than 300 times higher in type IIB. A direct relationship was observed between the presence of C. albicans and nocturnal denture use (P = .01) and an inverse relation was observed with brushing of the palate (P = .03). CONCLUSION: The ability of C. albicans strains isolated from dentures to produce myceliated colonies may not be directly involved in denture stomatitis.

Reassessing the presence of Candida albicans in denture-related stomatitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to reevaluate the link between Candida albicans and denture-related stomatitis according to a modified Newton classification, which reflects the classic types of inflammation as well as the extent to which the tissue is affected. STUDY DESIGN: Two groups of denture wearers were evaluated for denture-related stomatitis. The presence and number of yeasts on the dentures, the identification of the Candida species present, and the amount of plaque coverage were determined. Putative risk factors were included in the study. Relations between these variables and stomatitis were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: According to Newton's classification, the presence of yeast on the denture was not linked to whether subjects had stomatitis. But with our classification, higher prevalence of yeast carriers, yeast colony number, and plaque coverage were found on the dentures of individuals with the most extensive inflammation, regardless of Newton type. Among risk factors evaluated, wearing dentures at night and smoking were associated with the most extensive inflammation. We also demonstrated that the presence of C albicans as well as the cohabitation of different Candida species was more frequent in denture-related stomatitis. The differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Statistical analysis of microbiologic data from different denture-related stomatitis categories according to our modified classification showed that the presence of yeast on dentures was significantly associated with the extent of the inflammation, rather than with the Newton type. Our findings suggest that the inflammatory process of stomatitis favors the colonization of Candida. These results could have new implications for diagnosis and management of the condition.