Prevalence of Candida in saliva and skin lesions of Psoriasis Vulgaris patients

Knowledge is of great importance; therefore it is very crucial to use an antifungal agent as additional treatment for psoriasis in patients. This study was designed to evaluate the presence of Candida albicans and other species of Candida in the saliva and skin of 50 psoriatic patients. The result of this study was compared to the control group of 50 healthy people. This research study was carried out from July 2011 to July 2012 on fifty (50) psoriatic cases. Demographic information such as age, sex, psoriasis duration, involved areas and severity of involvement, family history, possible past diseases, and drug history were collected. Quantitative evaluation was carried out on the saliva and skin culture of both healthy (control) and psoriatic patient to diagnose candida. Candida albicans was found in 34% of the saliva of patients with psoriasis and only 2% was found in the control group which was statistically significant (P<0.05). Smear and culture of Candida in the saliva of patients with psoriasis was 46% and 18% in the control group, statistically significant at P<0.05. From the quantitative evaluation, among the 46% of psoriatic patients and 18% of control group with candida, 28% and 2% were severe, respectively. The severity of candida between case and control groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Oral Candidiasis can be observed more commonly in Psoriatic patients compared to normal ones.