The Role Of Probiotics As Viable Alternative Therapy In Prevention Of Oral Candidiasis – A Systematic Review

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Sangamesh N C , Ekta Ingle , Pushpraj Singh , Atul Anand Bajoria , Silpiranjan Mishra , GC Shivakumar

Abstract

Background: Oral candidiasis (OC) is an emerging opportunistic infection spreading at an accelerated rate around the globe, more in part due to the fact that there is currently a worldwide pandemic (Covid-19) which in itself has given rise to a host of other comorbidities like candidiasis. This systematic review aims to establish whether the use of probiotics is helpful in controlling oral candidiasis alongside other the other treatment modalities available.


Methods: After a thorough literature search, it was found that 6 studies and 4 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) resulted as eligible for the systematic review. The studies selected included a number of parameters for example; type of study, nature of aim of the study, size of the sample in the study, gender and age of the subjects included in the study, analysis of different variables and the strain of the probiotic bacteria employed.


Result: Both the reviews on the selected studies and the subset of the clinical trials found that the usage of probiotics, in conjunction with the traditionally used treatment modalities, had a marginally positive impact effect on reducing oral Candida spp. numbers.


Conclusion: It can be deduced summarily that probiotics do influence the reduction in Candida counts in the oral cavity. However, this is subjected to more extensive trials and the results need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

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