Isolation Methods

Question 1

Types of specimens of candida from oral cavity?

Answer 1

Whole saliva

Oral rinse

Swab

Smear

Biopsy

Question 2

Pros / cons of whole salivary culture?

Answer 2

Pros
- sensitive, viable organisms isolated

Cons
- not site specific

Question 3

Pros / cons of oral rinse

Answer 3

Pros
- quantitative, viable cells isolated

Cons
- some pts find difficult using rinse, not site specific

Question 4

Pros / cons of oral smear

Answer 4

Pros
- Not reliant on culture
- simple

Cons
- viable cells not determined, species identity not readily confirmed

Question 5

Pros / cons of oral swab?

Answer 5

Pros
- site specific, simple to use

Cons
- can be painful
- difficult to standardise