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Epidemiological investigations of oral Candida Albicans

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Abstract

Using a gargle-rinse technique, the oral cavities of 103 volunteers were sampled and cultured for the presence ofCandida albicans. Thirty-six (33.95 %) were positive forC. albicans, including 14 females and 22 males. Sixty-four subjects, including negative controls, were placed on treatment regimes of a pre-sleep gargle-rinse with either sterile distilled water (W) or Cepacol® Mouthwash/Gargle (C). The possible effects of ambient temperature, diet, age, sex, and mouthwash use on oralC. albicans levels are illustrated and discussed, including some evidence for familial endemicity. On simulated sporadic or continuous mouthwash use, some individuals showed statistically significant reductions in oralC. albicans flora, whereas others had biologically significant reductions that were not confirmed statistically. A few originally negative individuals developed non-persistent lowC. albicans counts on one or two days. Total bacterial counts were made for 32 subjects, for most of whom biologically significant reductions were obtained, although the counts were highly variable and erratic. The data support the concept that a reduction in oralC. albicans does not lead to an increase in total bacterial flora, and vice versa.

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with the technical assistance ofAlyce R. Schmitt

Paper 741, Department of Botany, The Ohio State University. This investigation was supported by a research grant form the Wm. S. Merrell Co., Cinninnati, O.

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Schmitt, J.A. Epidemiological investigations of oral Candida Albicans. Mycopathologia et Mycologia Applicata 43, 65–87 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02051504

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