Oral Candidiasis among Cancer Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bihar, North India: An Evaluation of Clinic Mycological Association and Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and associated risk factors for oral candidiasis among cancer patients seeking treatment at a tertiary care hospital Bihar, and to determine the antifungal susceptibility pattern among these patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 cancer patients who presented with clinical features of oral candidiasis at a tertiary care hospital in Bihar from January 2023 to April 2023. Clinical and mycological evaluations were performed to identify Candida species and determine antifungal susceptibility patterns. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the clinicomycological association and antifungal susceptibility pattern. Results: The prevalence of oral candidiasis among cancer patients in this study was found to be 52%. Candida albicans was the most commonly isolated species, followed by Candida tropicalis. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed that most isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, while resistance to amphotericin B was observed in a small percentage of isolates. Significant clinic mycological associations were found between the severity of oral candidiasis and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of appropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent the development of oral candidiasis among cancer patients. The findings of this study can inform the development of effective treatment guidelines for the management of oral candidiasis among cancer patients in Bihar. The study’s contributions to the existing literature on oral candidiasis among cancer patients underscore the significance of understanding the prevalence, etiology, and management of this condition in developing countries such as India.