Assessment of Candida spp. frequency in the oral cavity ontocenosis of healthy individuals in different age groups

Introduction. Among the microorganisms colonizing the oral cavity ontocenosis, an important role is played by fungi: mainly yeast-like fungi of the Candida genus, and especially by the species C. albicans. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of oral colonization by Candida species in healthy individuals of different age groups, and to identify the species of the isolates. Materials and method. The fungi were isolated from the oral cavities of 654 healthy individuals of both genders, representing different age groups, and the species of the isolates were determined. Initial identification of the yeast-like fungi was made based on the macroscopic appearance of the colonies on Sabouraud’s medium, and the growth of coloured colonies on ChromAgar Candida medium. API 20 C AUX microtest (bioMerieux) was used to identify the most frequently found species of Candida spp. Results. The frequency of Candida isolation from the oral cavity ontocenosis in healthy individuals of different age groups was assessed as 30.6%. The oral cavity ontocenosis was colonized mainly by the yeast-like fungi of C. albicans species: they were found in 24.5% of the tested population, while the frequency of oral cavity colonization by non-albicans Candida spp. was 6.1%. Seven species of non-albicans Candida spp. were identified: C. glabrata, C. inconspicua, C. famata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. lusitaniae, and C. kefyr. Conclusions. In the Polish population, 30.6% of the oral cavity ontocenosis is colonized by Candida yeast-like fungi, while C. albicans is the fungus that colonizes oral cavity ontocenosis most frequently. The frequency of oral cavity ontocenosis colonization with Candida spp (including C. albicans) increases with age.