Isolation and Identification of<i>Candida</i>from the Oral Cavity

Various techniques are available for the isolation ofCandidawithin the oral cavity. Such methods play an important role in the diagnosis and management of oral candidosis. The growing importance ofCandidais in part related to the emergence of HIV infection and the more widespread use of immunosuppressive chemotherapy. Along with theCandida albicansthere has been a greater recognition of the importance of the nonalbicansCandidaspecies in oral candidosis. Identification of infecting strains ofCandidais important because isolates ofCandidaspecies differ widely, both in their ability to cause infection and also in their susceptibility to antifungal agents. Thus this review provides an overview of the reliable methods of candidal isolation and identification of isolates from the oral cavity.