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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 February 2012
Introduction: Radiotherapy-induced hyposalivation encourages oral Candida colonization that often leads to oral/pharyngeal candidiasis. The objective of this study was to identify the Candida species in lesions of oropharyngeal candidiasis in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancers and to find out antifungal susceptibility pattern.
Material and methods: Swabs were collected from 60 patients who developed lesions suggestive of oral candidiasis at the end of 1st week of radiation therapy. Antifungal susceptibility of each of the isolated species was done using disc diffusion method following CLSI guidelines.
Results: Candida was isolated in 13 cases. C. albicans (7) was the most predominant species; a small number of other species have also been identified. Few strains (3) of Candida showed variable resistance to the commonly used antifungal drugs.
Discussion: The colonization of Candida may lead to development of infections with drug-resistant strains, and hence the patients receiving radiation for head and neck cancers should undergo microbiological study for oral candidiasis.