Oral Candida Colonization in Thai Patients with Psoriasis.

Objective : To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of oral Candida colonization in psoriatic patients at Siriraj Hospital. Material and Method : Sixty patients with psoriasis, aged older than 18 years, were recruited for the study group. Sixty healthy individuals similar to the patients in the study group in terms of age and gender were recruited for the control group. Candida spp. was isolated from oral swabs and oral rinses taken from all subjects. Results : During the study period, 27 (45.0%) psoriatic patients used only topical treatment and the remaining patients were on systemic treatment. Oral Candida colonization was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis (30%), as compared with healthy controls (13.3%). Candida albicans was the predominant Candida species isolated. Presence of oral candidiasis was significantly associated with systemic treatment. Conclusion : Oral Candida colonization is associated with psoriasis, especially in patients who receive systemic treatment. Keywords : Candida, Colonization, Psoriasis