A study on isolation, identification, and antifungal susceptibility of various oral candidal species in renal transplant patients

Background: The rationale of this study was to know the prevalence of candidal colonization in renal transplant individuals and to isolate and identify the various species and determine their antifungal susceptibility. Materials and Methods: The study population was divided into Group I (renal transplant individuals, n =30) and Group II (healthy individuals, n =50) from whom oral rinse samples were collected in a container with sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). All the collected samples were transported immediately and subjected to various mycological investigations. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U and Chi-square test. Results: In Group I, 11 (36.67%) and in Group II, 9 (18%) showed positivity for Candida. Candida albicans formed the major species and it showed sensitivity to Fluconazole and Ketoconazole. Conclusion: Prevalence of Candida species in the oral cavity of renal transplant recipients was higher than in immunocompetent control subjects. Administration of immunosuppressive drugs predisposes the development of an increased density of candidal colonies