Determination of Candida species nestled in denture fissures.

With the growing number of elderly individuals, Candida is occasionally recognised as a fungal cause of aspiration pneumonia. In addition, there are numerous investigational reports on oral candidiasis. However, there are currently no reports on Candida contamination of denture base materials. This study was conducted to investigate Candida species in the oral cavity, denture parts and oral lesions of older/elderly subjects with oral candidiasis. The Candida strains were isolated and the species identified. Candida was also cultured in a medium with sample of denture resin and observed under an electron microscope. The results demonstrated the presence of several Candida species in the lesions of the oral mucosa and the surface and inner portions of the dentures. The following species of Candida were detected: Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis. Using electron microscopy, the invasion of Candida was observed in the incomplete polymerized resin base material and/or through microcracks (fissures) that have a tendency to form in used dentures. It was concluded that Candida may be present on the surface as well as the deeper portions of dentures. In addition, it appeared necessary to consider denture and oral cavity cleaning and the risks of remaking old dentures.