Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the profile of Candida species responsible for colonizing and infecting the oral cavity of Brazilian patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT).
Study design: Saliva samples were collected from 21 patients before, during, and immediately after RT. Each sample was distributed in agar Sabouraud dextrose/chlorophenicol and incubated at 37 degrees C for 18 hours. Emerging colonies were identified biochemically and through the germinative tube test. Patients were examined weekly to identify clinical candidiasis.
Results: Candida colonization continuously increased during RT. Infection occurred in 52% of the patients, and baseline colonization was higher in infected patients. A shift toward non-albicans species was observed in both infected and noninfected patients.
Conclusions: RT leads to increased colonization and infection by Candida. The shift toward non-albicans species was unrelated to antifungal therapy. There may be epidemiological differences between infected and noninfected patients.