Abstract
Objective: Oral candidiasis develops according to alterations in the human host defenses such as a hyposalivation condition. Although erythematous candidiasis often develops in dry mouth patients, the diagnosis is difficult unlike typical pseudo-membranous candidiasis. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Candida CFU and the morbidity of erythema in the oral mucosa and to set the cut-off point in order to prevent the risk of erythematous candidiasis in dry mouth patients.
Subjects and Methods: To set the cut-off point of Candida CFU, a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was carried out on the principal factors deduced by factor analysis of the oral symptoms and signs in 678 dry mouth patients. The surface of the dorsum of the tongue was swabbed and then the swab was directly inoculated onto the CHROMagar Candida to count the Candida CFU.
Results: Nine CFU of Candida was identified as a cut-off point for erythema in dry mouth patients, in which the sensitivity and specificity were 69% and 62%, respectively.
Conclusion: The establishment of a cut-off point will be helpful for the daily oral care of dry mouth patients in order to prevent the risk of erythematous candidiasis.
