Oral Microflora among Oral Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy in Regional Cancer Center, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the microflora, especially Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and Candida species, in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma during various stages from diagnosis through radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: A total of 17 cases with histological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were enrolled in the study. For each patient, the sample was collected thrice, i.e., at the time of diagnosis (Sample 1), 14^th–15^th day (Sample 2), and on the 29^th–30^th day of radiotherapy (Sample 3). The swab stick was rolled across the oral mucosa in the cases and was sent immediately to the Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, for processing. The swabs were inoculated on MacConkey agar, blood agar, and Sabouraud dextrose agar. After overnight incubation at 37°C, the organisms were identified by colony characteristics, catalase, coagulase test, Gram staining, and standard biochemical tests. Results: Out of 17, there was a loss to follow up in three patients, so after analyzing on 14 patients, we had 12 (85.7%) males and 2 (14.3%) females. The mean age of the population was 47.6% ± 12.2%. We had significantly higher proportion of Gram-positive microorganisms in Sample 1 as compared to Sample 3 and the same proportion of Gram-negative organisms in Sample 1 and Sample 3. Candida species was also proportionately higher in Sample 3 as compared to Sample 1. Conclusion: There is a shift of oral microflora from Gram-positive to Candida species from Sample 1 to Sample 3 and Gram-negative being same in Sample 1 and Sample 3.

Keywords

Candida - Oral cancer - radiotherapy and oral microflora

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
24. Mai 2021

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