Presence of Candida spp. in periodontal pockets of diabetic patients

Background: The buccal mucosa is considered the main reservoir of Candida spp. Alterations that cause deficiency of the immune system, such as diabetes melittus, can induce the proliferation of Candida spp. These microorganisms can co-aggregate to bacteria in dental biofilm and may contribute for microbial colonization process of periodontal pockets, due higher capacity of adherence and penetration in the host tissues. Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify by PCR the presence of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis in periodontal pockets of type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic patients. Methods: A total of 82 and 73 periodontal pockets of 11 diabetic and 11 non-diabetic patients with chronic periodontitis, respectively, were evaluated. Periodontal pockets were classified in shallow, deep pockets or molar furcation sites. Subgingival biofilm were collected using a periodontal curette and inserted in microtubes containing 1ml of RTF solution. Subsequently, the samples were submitted to the phenol-chloroform DNA extraction and PCR analysis using specific primers to C. albicans and C. dubliniensis. Results: C. albicans were found in 57.31% and C. dubliniensis in 75.60% of the periodontal pockets of diabetic patients. For non-diabetic patients, 19.17% and 13.69% of the periodontal sites presented C. albicans and C. dubliniensis respectively. Conclusion: Type 2 diabetic patients with chronic periodontitis have high prevalence of Candida ssp. in periodontal pockets. In addiction, C. dubliniensis is more frequent than C. albicans in diabetic patients when compared to non-diabetic patients.