Mixed oral candidiasis in type 2 diabetic patients: identification and spectrum of sensitivity

Introduction. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are susceptible to acquiring Candida infections, sometimes involving more than one species; the resistance of some can cause therapeutic failure. Objectives. To determine the frequency and clinical varieties of mixed oral candidiasis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, species involved and sensitivity spectra. Material and methods. Analytical cross-sectional study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with a hyperglycemic level >= 7% HbA1C with a clinical diagnosis of OC. The variety of mixed oral candidiasis was clinically evaluated and the causal species through microbiological techniques, sensitivity tests were carried out using the diffusion method in plate with strips (E-test (R)). Results. 72 patients were included, 32 (44%) male and 40 (56%) female, in 3 age groups: young adults (17%), adults (74%) and the elderly (9%), with a mean of 51 years. No significant differences were found between mixed oral candidiasis and groups (sex and age), as well as mixed oral candidiasis and gender, HbA1C, antihyperglycemic treatment or time since diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the adult age group, a correlation was found with respect to mixed or simple oral candidiasis; in 8 (13%) cases of mixed oral candidiasis, (Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. dubliniensis, C. kefyr, C. tropicalis and C. krusei) 7 with two species and 1 with 3 species, most presented sensitivity against to ketoconazole and fluconazole with greater resistance to itraconazole. Conclusions. Mixed oral candidiasis occur in approximately 10% of the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and may present therapeutic failures because they are not identified.