Dental Treatment Effect on Candida spp. Colonisation in HIV Children

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the effect of dental treatment on the prevalence of Candida spp. in oral mucosa of HIV-infected children as well as to investigate its relationship with both dentinal caries lesion and predisposing factors, such as immune-suppression and medication usage. Methods: Thirty HIV-infected children aged between 4 and 13 years were selected for study. After performing dental and clinical examination (M1), the specimens were collected from their oral mucosa and active dentinal caries by using swab and dental curette, respectively. Then, the Candida species were quantified and identified using CHROMagar Candida and API Candida systems. All children received dental treatment with glass ionomer cement restorations. New specimens were collected from their oral mucosa with swab after performing dental treatment (M2). Statistical analyses based on Wilcoxon's chi-square test, Pearson's correlation test and univariate analysis were performed by using a SPSS software v.13.0. Results: It was observed that the total number of cavitated carious lesions and number of active dentinal caries were both positively related to the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) in the oral mucosa prior to dental treatment (P < 0.05, Pearson's correlation). Other positive correlation regarding the mean CFU values for dentinal caries (D) and oral mucosa before (M1) and after (M2) the dental treatment was observed as well (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon's test). Conclusion: As the decrease in CFU values at M2 indicates that dentinal carious lesions serve as a niche for colonisation and proliferation of various Candida species, the dental treatment becomes crucially important for controlling such a fungus.