Isolation of Candida Spp. in Dental Plaque of ECC Affected Children

The study was carried out to identify yeasts isolated from the dental plaque samples obtained from children affected with ECC. Isolated yeast colonies obtained from the dental plaque smears cultivated on MRS agar at 37° C in 5% CO2 atmosphere (N= 58) were characterized. To quantify yeasts, further samples of dental plaque (N=30) were smeared using sterile cotton swabs. The number of colony-forming units was calculated and assessed as strongly positive (+++), positive (++), and weakly positive (+). The species identification was established using morphological characteristics, characteristic growth on CHROMagar Candida, assimilation and fermentation tests (kits Auxalor 2 and ID 32C). Selected samples of cultivated colonies (N=10) were investigated in a scanning (SEM) electron microscope. Extracted primary teeth covered by dental plaque were investigated under SEM (N=20) and a transmission (TEM) electron microscope (N=10). C. albicans (51 strains), C. tropicalis (4 strains) Rhodotorula rubra (1 strain) and C. dubliniensis (2 strains) were identified. SEM and TEM investigations confirmed the presence of C. albicans, both hyphal and budding forms were revealed. Candida albicans and further yeast strains are constant components of dental plaque in ECC affected children. Keywords: dentistry, ECC, dental plaque, yeasts, TEM, SEM