Saliva and oral yeast

study of fungi

mycology

fungi are

eukaryotic

2 basic structural forms

yeast and mold

dimorphic is

can exist in either for and can switch back and forth

yeast

unicellular with spherical or oviod bodies

molds

multicellular with specialized structures to perfrom specific function

hyphae

structural unit of mold; multicellular with each cell separated by a septa that has pores

mycellium

mass of hyphae that from mold colony

Dimorphic example

candida which is also opportunistic

fungi reproduction

both asexual and sexual modes; clinically only asexual is relevant

classification of yeast

yeast, filamentous fungi, dimorphic fungi

identification of yeast

biochemical reactions based on fermentation of and assimilation of carbohydrates and utilization of enzyme substrates and other metabolic activities

identification of molds

identified based on color, texture, colony, asexual structures and microscopic morphology

oxygen requirement - fungi

majority are aerobic can be anaerobic

growth medium for fungi

sabouraud dextrose agar, potato dextrose agar, yeast peptone dextrose

specialty features of fungal growth medium

high carbohydrate content, acidic pH, antibiotics

most common found fungi in the oral cavity

Candida, especially c. albicans

Accounts for 80% of all oral yeast isolated

C. albicans

oral carriage ranges from

35-55%

Candida is part of the oral flora

commensal or normal resident of the oral cavity

Candidiasis

local or disseminated infection