The identification of the novel candidal species, C. dubliniensis, from ora
l swab studies of HIV-seropositive and -seronegative individuals has led to
speculation that such a species may also reside in the oral cavity of othe
r patient groups. In this study involvement of the newly described species,
C. dubliniensis, was investigated in oral carriage and disease in 414 insu
lin-using diabetes mellitus patients. Seventy-seven percent of the diabetic
patients carried candidal species in the oral cavity. C. albicans was the
most commonly identified candidal species. This was followed by C. dublinie
nsis, which was isolated on 64 occasions. Colonisation with multiple candid
al species was common, and C, dubliniensis was present in both carriage and
disease states. Seven patients without signs of oral disease had C. dublin
iensis isolated as the sole candidal species, while the same species was as
sociated with various forms of oral candidosis in six patients.