Comparison of the Different Types of of Oral Candida Species and the pH of Saliva between Diabetic Non-Diabetic Subjects

Diabetic patients are more sensitive to some infection. Oral Candidiasis is one of the most common opportunistic infection in diabetic and immunocompromised patients. Several reports indicate increase of oral Candidiasis species in oral cavity of diabetic subjects rather than non – diabetic subjects, Almost half of diabetic subjects are carriers of Candida species specially Candida albicans. The aim of this research, was to compare the pH and the prevalence of different Candida species in diabetic and non-diabetic saliva. This research was a case-control study. This study was done in Ahwaz Golestan hospital in 1381-82. A total of 140 patients were recruited and divided in two groups of diabetic and non-diabetic (70 persons in each). They were trained an oral hygiene procedure. After two weeks cotton-swab samples were taken from their saliva. The swabs were cultured in chromagar media. The pH of their saliva was measured using a pH paper. For statistical analysis of the data, Chi-squired, non-parametric and T– tests were used.The age of population in both groups was between 25 to 65 years old. The results showed a significantly higher presence of Candida species in diabetic saliva than in non-diabetic patients. Candida albicans was the most common Candida in the saliva of both groups. The salivary pH in diabetic patients was significantly (p<0.05) lower than non-diabetic patients.These research shows that Candida species, especially Candida albicans in the mouth of diabetic patients have significant presence and these patients are at a greater risk of developoing oral caondidiasis. It is recommended that oral hygiene, control of blood sugar and, when infected, early use of local anti fungal is necessary