Comparative oral colonization for Streptococcus mutans and Candida among caries-affected individuals: A cross-sectional study | ||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 18 November 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.436064.3379 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Suha Khaleel Ibrahim1; Zahraa Salim Badr2; Idriss Saleh Jaleel3; sarmad Mohammad* 3 | ||
| 1Diyala University, Collage of Dentistry, Department of Basic science, Diyala, Iraq | ||
| 2Aliraqia University, Baghdad, Iraq | ||
| 3Middle Technical University, Technical Institute -Baqubah, Diyala, Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Dental caries is a multifaceted infectious disease that results from complex microbial interactions, profoundly affecting the oral microbial balance and leading to the formation of oral biofilms. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, and Candida spp. and their synergistic relationship in causing tooth decay in different age groups. Methods: In this study, 100 oral swab samples were collected from individuals suffering from tooth decay who were between the ages of 5-50 years. The study sample was classified into three age groups as follows (5-15 years), (15-30 years), and (30-50 years). Selective media were used for microbial isolation-Mitis Salivarius agar for S. mutans, MacConkey agar for E. coli, and Sabouraud Dextrose agar for Candida spp. Isolates were identified phenotypically through colony morphology, Gram stain, and chemical tests. Results: The percentage of positive microbial growth reached 83% of the total samples. Candida spp. was the most prevalent, accounting for approximately 38.5%, followed by E. coli, which accounted for 33.7%, and finally, S. mutans, which accounted for 27.8%. The highest rates of Candida spp. isolation were recorded in the age groups 5-15 years and 30-50 years, while the highest rates of isolation of E. coli and mutant Salmonella were in the elderly group (30-50 years). .Conclusion: This study revealed that there is a close correlation between the prevalence of oral microbial species and age and indicates that synergistic interactions occur between E. coli, S. mutans and Candida spp. These results demonstrate the importance of understanding the multiple connections between different types of microbes and the environment in the occurrence and development of dental caries, and that there is a need for more molecular studies to clarify the mechanisms of synergy and virulence between types of oral microbes. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| : S. mutans; Candida; E. coli; oral microbes; oral biofilm | ||
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