Resumen

VARELA, Yasmin et al. Candida species colonizing the oral cavity of pediatric oncology patients hospitalized at the IAHULA, Merida, Venezuela. Rev. Soc. Ven. Microbiol. [online]. 2014, vol.34, n.1, pp.22-26. ISSN 1315-2556.

In patients with neoplastic processes, the treatment being used constitutes an agent which induces an unbalance of oral microbes, making the oral cavity a suitable environment for colonization and proliferation of microorganisms that produce opportunist infections such as Candida spp. In a study of 26 pediatric patients hospitalized at the Instituto Auónomo Hospital Universitario de los Andes, we identified the oral colonizing Candida spp. in these patients. Samples taken from the oral cavity were cultured in Sabouraud dextrose agar with antibiotics and the yeasts were identified by conventional methods: germinal tubes and chlamydoconidia formation, auxanogram, and color production with the medium Hicrome Candida chromogenic agar base. We determined 59.3% colonization with predomination of C. albicans in 64%, followed by non albicans Candida spp: C. krusei 19.5%, C. glabrata 9.8%, C. tropicalis 4.8%, and C. parapsilosis 2.4%. None of these colonizing species were conclusive or specific for a determined oncologic pathology; nevertheless, the hospitalization period favored colonization by non albicans Candida spp. Information about the colonizing species of the oral cavity offers useful epidemiological information for the orientation of adequate prophylaxis and opportune treatment when oral candidiasis develops.

Palabras clave : Candida spp; colonization by Candida spp; oncologic pediatric patients.

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