The aims of this study were to investigate Candida carriage associated with reduced salivary flow and to identify Candida species in 20 patients with squamous cell carcinoma before, during and after head and neck radiotherapy, comparing with 2 control groups, one compounded by 24 healthful patients and the other, by nine patients submitted to head and neck radiotherapy one year at least. Whole non stimulated saliva were collected from all patients. Candida unit form colonies were quantified and identified using biochemistry tests, CHROMagar and API 20 Aux. The results showed progressive reduction of salivary flow during radiotherapy (p = 0.001) and increased Candida carriage, mainly C. tropicalis and C. albicans, with species diversification. The correlation between reduced salivary flow and increased Candida carriage was statistically demonstrated (p = 0.009). After 12 months of the radiotherapy, the patients showed higher incidence of C. albicans and C. tropicalis. In conclusion, head and neck irradiated patients showed reduced salivary flow during radiotherapy, increasing of Candida colonization and higher variety of Candida species on saliva than non irradiated patients during and after radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy; Candida; Xerostomy
