COMPARISON OF 3 TEST METHODS USED FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CANDIDIASIS

A total of 266 specimens was taken from oral mucosa or dentures of 88 patients with suspected Candida-infected oral mucosa. One-third of the debris from each sample was cultured on Microstix-Candida (C), strips , one-third was cultured on Oricult-N-plates, and the rest was collect ed on glass plates and stained by the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) metho d. The PAS-stained samples were analyzed under the light microscope fo r the presence of Candida hyphae. The other samples (Oricult-N or Micr ostix-C) were studied visually, according to the manufacturer's recomm endation. PAS-stained specimens showed significantly less often positi ve results than those of the two culture methods. These data suggest t hat oral candidiasis may be incorrectly diagnosed if based upon result s obtained with the culture methods. It is also possible that the PAS- staining method yielded false negative findings. This possibility shou ld always be considered, especially if other findings and symptoms dis agree with the test results obtained.