Is age a risk factor for Candida glabrata colonisation?

Summary Studies have reported that Candida glabrata infections are more common in older adults. We sought to determine colonisation rates of C. glabrata in the oral cavity and its relationship with age, comorbid illnesses and hospital or extended care facility stay. Samples were obtained from four sites in the oral cavity and from dentures, when available, from 408 subjects from the community (136), hospital (126) or an extended care facility (146). Overall, 219 (53.7%) subjects were colonised with yeast; the predominant species was Candida albicans. Sixty-two patients (15.2%) were colonised with C. glabrata. None of the subjects <40 years was colonised with C. glabrata; in those from the community, only nine persons, all of whom were>60 years, were colonised with C. glabrata. By multivariate analysis, increasing age, dentures and use of psychotropic medications were independently associated with C. glabrata colonisation; residing in the community, rather than hospital or extended care, was strongly protective against colonisation. Candida glabrata colonisation is multifactorial; age, and hospitalisation ⁄ extended care stay contribute to colonisation. Dentures are strongly associated with colonisation with any yeast and with C. glabrata. Further study is needed to evaluate the relationship of these findings to increasing C. glabrata infections in older adults. Key words: Candida glabrata, colonisation, oral cavity