Evaluation of Oral Microflora in Precancerous Lesions

Background -Active smoking has effects on bacterial binding to epithelial cells, expression of host cell antigens that act as receptors for some species and passive exposure to water-soluble components of cigarette smoke on bacterial binding. Passive coating of mucosal surfaces with components of cigarette smoke might enhance binding of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Aim-Our study is to evaluate the differences in the microflora of healthy individuals& those having potentially malignant disorders. Methods-Total 80 patients were seen including 20 smokers, 20 chewers, 20 smokers as well as chewers and 20 control (non users) were neither smoker nor tobacco chewer. Three swab samples were collected of each patient i. e. one for anaerobic in Robertson cooked meat medium (enrichment medium) and streaked on BHI Agar, one for aerobic which was applied on blood agar and Mac Conkey agar and one sample for fungal culture which was applied on Sabourauds dextrose agar. Confirmatory biochemical test were done for aerobic and anaerobic cultures and for fungal, chrome agar test were done. Results- In leukoplakia, the mean of Candida glabrata was lower whereas of other microorganisms were same. In Oral submucous fibrosis, the mean of all the microorganisms were same. In other white lesions, Candida glabrata was significantly lower in other white lesions whereas other microorganisms were same in mean count. Discussion- Our study shows no significant difference in the levels of microorganisms amongst chewers, smokers, chewers as well as smokers who did not have any clinical lesion, and even non-users of tobacco. This suggests the intricate role of these microorganisms in the development of Oral potential malignant disorders. Conclusion- Our findings also led us to suppose that the microbes are related to lesions per say and not to the etiologic factors.