Prevalence of Candida spp. during radiographic examination in Diabetes mellitus patients

introduction: it is suggested that individuals with diabetes are more susceptible to candida infections than healthy people, especially if periodontal infection is associated. objective: this study evaluated the prevalence of colonization by candida spp. during radiographic examination in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. material and methods: twenty-six patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 20 patients without diabetes mellitus, presenting chronic periodontitis and presence of candida spp. in saliva were evaluated. during radiographic examination, samples of saliva were collected from: oral mucosa, conventional radiographic periapical film, digital x-ray sensor (cdr), and bite block of the receptor-positioning device. colony forming units (cfu/ml) and identification of candida yeasts were assessed. result: oral mucosa from both groups showed the highest colonization with candida spp. if compared with others surfaces collected (p < 0.05). in diabetic patients, the mucosa of the upper left regions showed higher levels of colonization. in non-diabetic patients, the upper right molar region showed the highest level of colonization during the examination of the receptor-positioning device, the sensor and the non-sensitive film. candida spp. levels in saliva were similar between diabetics (mean = 3.0 × 106) and non-diabetics (mean = 3.8 × 106). conclusion: no difference in candida spp. colonization (cfu/ml) in diabetics and non-diabetic patients was observed for the five collected surfaces and the simulated radiographic region. candida albicans was the prevalent species of candida spp. found on all the samples.