Oral yeast colonization in patients with primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the pattern of oral yeast colonization of Sjögren's syndrome patients and its correlation to salivary flow rates, age, and time of the disease progression. Materials and methods: Saliva and swab specimens were obtained from 45 patients (primary Sjögren's syndrome = 15/ secondary Sjögren's syndrome = 15/ healthy controls = 15). Yeast species were identified using culture method through chromogenic medium followed by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Results: Eleven species from six different genera were detected. The most prevalent species found was Candida albicans followed by Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida krusei. Both groups of Sjögren's syndrome showed higher counts of C. albicans (Total and CFU counts) when compared to control group. In contrast, a greater variety of yeast species was identified on samples of the control group. Conclusions: This study showed that C. albicans is the most prevalent yeast, but also that a variety of other yeast species can colonize the oral cavity of Sjogren's syndrome patients. The identification of most of the colonies was not obtained by culturing-PCR methods combined.