RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This clinical study investigated the association between cytokine gene polymorphism and Candida growth in denture stomatitis (DS) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Saliva and blood samples of 160 complete denture wearers (80 healthy controls and 80 with DS) were collected for mycological and gene polymorphism testing, respectively. Salivary Candida growth and TNF-α, TGF-ß, IL-6, and IL-10 genotypes were investigated. Data were analyzed using Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square analysis, and continuity (yates) correction tests (p < .05). RESULTS: Candida albicans colony counts in saliva were significantly higher in the DS group and in the TNF-α GG genotype (p < .05). TGF-ß TC GG and TGF-ß CC GG haplotypes were significantly higher in DS and control groups, respectively (p < .05). C. albicans colony counts were significantly higher in control group in the TGF-ß TC GG haplotype (p < .05). Candida glabrata colony counts were significantly higher in the DS group than the control group in IL-6 GG genotype (p < .05). The difference between DS types in IL-6 genotypes was significant with lower expression level in DS type 3 than DS type 1 and also type 2 (p ≤ .01). CONCLUSION: The significant differences in some genotypes of the TNF-α, TGF-ß, and IL-6 in DS patients are promising in understanding the host defense in DS.