An investigation on the relationship between oral candidal colony count and the duration of hemodialysis

Abstract

Statement of Problem: Candidal colonies make up a part of natural oral flora and are considered as"npredisposing factors for opportunistic infections. Since hemodialysis leads to body Immune suppression and"nmake patients susceptible to opportunistic infections, it is useful to investigate the relationship between"nhemodialysis and such infections."nPurpose: The aim of the present research was to study the relationship between oral candidal colony count"nand duration of hemodialysis and also to investigate the probable necessity for prophylaxis against oral"ncandidiasis. Factors such as oral temperature, age, sex, denture, smoking, drugs, candidal microscopic view"nand clinical signs of oral infections, were also studied in relation to candidal colonies."nMaterial and Methods: The smear of posterior part of tongue and oral fluids from 114 hemodialysis patients"nin Khorshid hospital, Isfahan University of medical Sciences were cultured. The number of oral candidal"ncolonies and their microscopic view were studied in relation to the duration of hemodialysis and other factors."nTo analyze the data, Pearson and Spearman statistical tests were used."nResults: No statistical significant relationship was observed between oral candidal colony count and the"nduration of hemodialysis."nConclusion: Due to the abundant predisposing factors for oral candidal infection, the probability of oral"ncandidiasis cannot be predicted based on a single factor, namely duration of hemodialysis. As a result,"naccording to this study, the prophylactic prescription of antifungal drugs are not suggested in hemodialysis"npatients. However, the results of the present study should not be over generalized and more studies are"nrequired