Candida spp. Carrying in Post-exodontia Sutures of Retained Third Molars

Abstract

Background: When sutures are removed, bacteriemia and infections of odontological origin may cause bacterial endocarditis and other diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the colonization by Candida species in sutures after extraction of retained third molars as well as to examine the influence of the position of the dental piece and the material used in sutures. Methods: A total of 56 male and female patients aged 21 - 55 years and with retained lower third molars were examined. Suture threads were removed a week later, and yeasts were isolated and grown in differential chromogenic medium and in Sabouraud dextrose agar. Results: Out of 56 patients, 16 (28.57%) were found to carry some species of the yeast of genus Candida. The predominant species was C. albicans (23.20%), followed by C. parapsilosis complex (5.40%). Although 19 out of 33 patients (57,58%) tested negative, the yeasts were detected in the vertical position of the teeth of 14 patients (42.42%). The horizontal and mesioangular position carried the yeasts in 12.50, and 8.33% of the patients, respectively, while the distoangular position was yeast-negative. No significant difference was observed among the different positions. Yeasts were detected in 9 out of 26 patients (34.61%) with nylon threads and in 7 out of 30 patients (23.33%) with silk threads. According to the results from statistical analysis, no significant difference was found between the materials. Conclusions: The post-extraction suture threads of retained third molars were found to carry some species of the genus Candida. Candida albicans was the predominant species, followed by C. parapsilosis. The vertical position of the molar tended to carry yeasts to a greater degree than the horizontal and mesiangular one, although it was not statistically significant. No significant differences were detected between nylon and silk suture threads either.