Clinical Significance
Probiotic lozenges given daily for 12 weeks were able to reduce the prevalence of high salivary Candida counts in these elderly patients. This is a population at
Elderly patients often suffer from oral candidiasis or Candida-associated stomatitis. About 20% to 50% of the population have Candida species in their mouth, with older patients more likely to be colonized by this organism. If the oral environment suffers a disturbance in its balance of organisms, Candida infection can occur. Imbalances can be triggered by antibiotic treatment, hyposalivation, impaired local or systemic immune response, poor oral hygiene, and smoking. Interest has developed in
Two parallel arms were part of this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. The study group was 215 older adults (age range 60 to 102 years) living in nursing homes. All underwent a baseline examination, then were randomly assigned to receive a lozenge containing two strains of the probiotic organism Lactobacillus reuteri or placebo each morning and evening for 12 weeks. Samples of saliva and plaque were collected at baseline and during follow-up. Measures were the prevalence of high
At baseline the prevalence of Candida in saliva was 72% in the probiotic group and 66% in the placebo group. Plaque samples had values of 67% and 69%, respectively. After 12 weeks, saliva samples of the probiotic group showed a Candida prevalence of 51%. Saliva samples of the placebo group had a prevalence of 79%. The reduction in the proportion of high counts in saliva was statistically significant for the probiotic group only.
Measurements of plaque were unchanged for both groups, although a
Locally administered lactobacilli were able to reduce the prevalence of high counts of salivary yeast in frail elderly patients. The absolute risk of reduction in saliva was 23%. The number to treat was close to 4.5. No major adverse events were reported. Plaque levels of Candida and gingivitis remained unchanged. Clinical Significance Probiotic lozenges given daily for 12 weeks were able to reduce the prevalence of high salivary Candida counts in these elderly patients. This is a population at
Kraft-Bodi E, Jørgensen MR, Keller MK, et al: Effect of probiotic bacteria on oral Candida in frail elderly. JDR Clin Res Suppl 94:181S-186S, 2015
Reprints available from MR Jørgensen, Dept of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Univ of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; e-mail: [email protected]