Objectives: Candida-associated denture stomatitis, represents a common recurrent disease in a large percentage of denture wearers. Management of oral candidiasis involves an accurate diagnosis, detection and elimination of predisposing factors and use of antifungals. The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility of Candida isolates to amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, and two azoles: fluconazole and itraconazole. Methods: A total of 120 Candida strains were isolated from patients with Candida-associated denture stomatitis by culture. The strains were obtained from 105 patients, aged 54-75, that had worn complete acrylic resin dentures for more than one year. Apart from denture stomatitis no other oral diseases were detected in these patients. After obtaining pure cultures, the yeasts were identified by a germ-tube formation test using the ID 32 C Candida identification kit. Antifungal susceptibility was tested using the ATB-Fungus 2 INT test (bioMerieux SA, Marcy-l'Etoile, France). Results: A total of 120 Candida strains were identified. C. albicans was the most common isolate (n=71; 59.2%); the other strains, designated as Candida spp, included C. glabrata (n=24; 20%), C. tropicalis (n=5; 12.5%) and C. parapsilosis (n=10; 8.3%). All isolates of C. albicans were susceptible to amphotericin B and only one strain was resistant to 5-fluorocytosine. Four and five C. albicans strains were resistant to fluconazole and itraconazole, respectively. Although, Candida spp. were more resistant to tested antimycotics, 79.6%, 77.6%, 71.4% and 79.6% of Candida spp. isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, fluconazole and itraconazole, respectively. Five Candida spp. strains were fully resistant to amphotericin B and itraconazole, one strain was resistant to 5-fluorocytosine, and nine strains were resistant to fluconazole. Conclusion: The identification of candidal strains and determination of their in vitro susceptibility to antifungals may improve the management of Candida-associated denture stomatitis and facilitate the choice of an effective drug.

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