Prevalence of oral parameters in smokeless tobacco-associated precancer.

Abstract

To evaluate and correlate the prevalence of <i>Candida</i> species, salivary flow rate, pH, and buffer capacity of oral cavity in subjects with leukoplakia, tobacco pouch keratosis, and healthy controls. In this prospective study, a total of 25 cases of leukoplakia, 25 of tobacco pouch keratosis, and 50 of healthy controls were studied. Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA) for the identification of <i>Candida</i> and HiCrome <i>Candida</i> differential Agar for the species identification of <i>Candida</i> were used. Calculation of salivary flow rate, pH, and buffer capacity was done with Saliva-Check Buffer kit (GC). The prevalence of <i>Candida</i> carriage obtained was considerably greater in the study group associated with smokeless tobacco use. Non<i>Candida albicans Candida</i> species predominated over <i>Candida albicans</i> in speciation among study groups on HiCrome agar and <i>Candida albicans</i> predominated among control groups. Statistically significant values were obtained by comparing the salivary flow rate, pH, and buffer capacity between the study groups and control groups. The present study indicated <i>Candida</i> prevalence was seen more in study group than healthy control groups, suggesting increased <i>Candida</i> in smokeless tobacco users. The prevalence of Non<i>Candida albicans Candida</i> species among leukoplakia and tobacco pouch keratosis indicates that there is pervasiveness of significant Non<i>Candida albican Candida</i> species in relation to salivary flow rate and buffer capacity. Therefore, the choice of antifungal treatment promptly must deal with not only resistance but, similarly, with the transformation in predominance from <i>Candida albicans</i> to Non<i>Candida albicans Candida</i> species. The numbers of sample study were considerably less to conclude such result hence, numbers of studies should be performed at larger scale in the particular area.