Periodontal status and sulcular Candida albicans colonization in patients with primary Sjögren's Syndrome

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the periodontal status and prevalence of sulcular Candida albicans between subjects with primary Sjögren's Syndrome (SS-1) and healthy control subjects. Material and Methods: Ten SS-1 subjects and 10 age- and sex-matched control subjects were recruited. All subjects met the comprehensive European Community Criteria for primary Sjögren's Syndrome. Periodontal probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), plaque and gingivitis were scored on index teeth in each subject. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) volume was measured from the same teeth using Periopaper strips. Candida albicans presence was determined by plating paper strips directly into culture media tubes (Oricult kit). Results: Despite having similar mean PD measures and gingivitis and plaque scores, SS-1 subjects who had Sjögren's Syndrome for a mean of 8.8 years had significantly more CAL (5.4 mm vs 2.7 mm; P .01) and GCF (101.3 ± 4.25 µL vs 33.0 ± 1.91 µL; P .001) than healthy control subjects. Candida albicans was detected in the sulci of only one SS-1 subject and in none of the control subjects. Conclusion: These data indicate that the cohort of the SS-1 patients in this particular study have significantly more gingival recession and GCF than do control subjects. The increased attachment loss in SS-1 patients is not attributed to an increase in colonization of the gingival sulci by Candida albicans organisms. Keywords: Candida albicans, gingival crevicular fluid, periodontal disease, Sjögren's Syndrome