Candida spp. Colonizing the Curious Lesions of Patients with Dental Carries: A Case Study from Mwanza Tanzania
Corresponding author: Martha F Mushi, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, E mail: mushimartha@gmail.com Background Dental caries are an infectious disease which is a major concern for dentists [1] It results from the demineralization of hard tissues (Enamel, Dentin and Cementum) leading to the destruction of organic matter of the tooth as a result of acid by oral microorganisms [2] Streptococcus mutans were considered for a long time as the major causatives agents of dental caries [3] Recently, other microorganisms that produce acidogenic and aciduric conditions have been considered in the onset and the development of cariogenic lesions [4] Candida albicans is considered a commensal in the oral cavity, however, due to its ability to produce acidogenic and aciduric conditions it can potentially cause dental caries [5] Candida spp. are an opportunist microorganism found in the oral cavities and may cause serious candidiasis and have been reported being a major cause of denture stomatitis [6] A strong association has been found between the prevalence of Candida spp. and dental caries particularly in children and young adults [7] However, little has been done on the association of Candida spp. oral colonization and dental caries in adults. Due to the cariogenic potential of Candida albicans, it has been demonstrated to enhance in vitro colonization of dental biofilm by Streptococcus mutans and reported to possess a much greater ability to dissolve hydroxyapatite and even induce dental caries in rats experimentally than S. mutans [5] Candida albicans colonization has been found to significantly be associated with dental caries due to the fact it possesses various virulence factors such as adherence, persistence, dimorphism and or germ tube formation, phenotypic switching, interference with host defense system, synergism with bacteria, and production of hydrolases or other metabolites [8] In Africa, dental caries are one of the prevalent complaints among patients attending dental clinics. Similarly, the prevalence of oral candida colonization in adults is reported to range from 22.9% 33.9% [9,10] However, the data on the magnitude of Candida spp. colonization in these curios lesions and factors associated are still limited. The current study was proposed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Candida spp. colonizing the curios lesions of patients with dental caries at Bugando Medical Centre and Sekou Toure Regional Referral Hospital Mwanza Tanzania. The data will add potential knowledge regarding the role of Candida spp. and dental caries.