Prevalence of Common Candida Species in Oral Lichen Planus Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in South of Iran

Background: Lichen Planus is a common mucocutaneous disease with unknown etiology. Immunodeficiency is a known predisposing factor to this disease. Oral Candidiasis which is an opportunistic fungal infection, commonly affects healthy and immune-compromised patients. Candida has different species bearing different treatments. In this study, researchers aimed to detect the frequency and colonization rate of Candida and its association with different factors such as lesion types of oral lichen Planus (OLP). Materials and Methods: Thirty seven untreated oral lichen Planus patients, attending the Clinical Department of Oral Medicine at Shiraz Dental School in 2011, were selected. Swab method and CHROMagar media were used to obtain samples incubated for 48 hours at 30 degrees C. Fungal species were detected considering colony color changes. Results: In the culture test, approximately 80% of samples were positive of non-reticular type. About 40% of positive samples were of Candida non-albicans (C. Nonalbicans) type. Among C. Non-albicans, 85% were non-reticular type among OLP patients. There was no significant statistical difference in prevalence of Candida albicans (C. albicans) and C. Non-albicans in OLP patients. Conclusion: Based on results, certain biotypes of Candida were not confirmed responsible for OLP patterns.