"Prevalence and biofilm formation of Candida species in the oral cavity of diabetic patients" at Baquba Teaching Hospital | ||||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 06 September 2025 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.416675.3140 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Fatin Ali Al-Chalabi  1; Melah Noor Al-deen Essa Al Fayad2; Yasser Muwafaq Mehdi1
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| 1Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Science, Diyala University, Iraq | ||||
| 2Ministry of Education , Directorate of Education in Baquba, Iraq | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Patients with diabetes are more prone to oral fungal infections because of weakened immune systems and alterations in the oral microbiome. Candida albicans is the most common species. and has a strong ability to form biofilms, which increases the chances of recurrent infection and treatment challenges. Aims: To investigate the prevalence of oral fungal infections among individual with diabetes. Identify the most prevalent types of fungi, especially ‘Candida albicans’. Analyze biofilm formation and its role in treatment resistance. Stress how crucial early detection and precise diagnosis are in directing antifungal treatment. Methods: Sabouraud Dextrose agar was used to collect and cultivate oral samples to detect fungal growth. Fungal species were identified using CHROMagar Candida Plus based on colony color and morphology. The germ tube assay was used to confirm ‘C. albicans’ via rapid morphological analysis in human serum. Biofilm formation was evaluated using microplate assays with crystal violet staining. Results: Fungal growth was positive in 70% of the samples. ‘C. albicans’ was the most commonly isolated species (51.4%). The ability to form biofilms was weak in ‘C. glabrata,’ moderate in C. tropicalis, and strong in ‘C. albicans’. Elderly patients were more likely to have non-albicans species like C. glabrata and C. krusei, perhaps as a result of immune aging and longer infection duration... Conclusion: This study demonstrates that diabetic patients represent a highly susceptible group to oral fungal infections, particularly by biofilm-forming Candida species such as C. albicans. This highlights the importance of rapid microscopic and biochemical examination, and accurate diagnosis using CHROMagar and tests such as Germ Tube and Biofilm Assay. Preventive and therapeutic measures based on fungal species identification and monitoring of clinical risk factors are recommended to ensure the prevention of the development of chronic and resistant infections. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| oral cavity; Candida species; biofilm formation; Diabetes mellitus | ||||
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