CONTEXT

isolates might exaggerate the development and advancement of oral lichen planus (OLP) alone or together with other factors. There is a differing pathogenic potential of various species. Since species isolated from OLP and oral lichenoid lesions (OLL) have shown to be resistant to commonly used antifungal agents, identification of species may play a pivotal role in its successful clinical management.

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the prevalence and phenotypic variations of species in patients of OLP and OLL with healthy controls.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This prospective microbiological study was conducted in the institution using indirect microscopic examination. The sample comprised of 40 clinicohistopathologically diagnosed cases of the study group (OLP and OLL) and 40 cases of control group (healthy individuals).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

The data collected was statistically analyzed using the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test with the SPSS 20.00 software.

RESULTS

The prevalence of was higher in the control group (28.10%) as compared to the study group (24.60%) and this difference was statistically significant. An increased frequency of non species was seen in the study group, in decreasing order of (40.70%), (22.20%), (22.20%) and (3.70%), as compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Non species were the predominant pathogens associated with the study (OLP + OLL) group. It is important to identify the infecting strains of because isolates of species differ widely, both in their ability to cause infection and also in their susceptibility of resistance to antifungal agents. Thus, phenotypic speciation of is emerging as a necessary trend to highlight the need of administering appropriate antifungal therapy.