Neonatal Oral Colonization with Candida in Jos, North-Central Nigeria

Candida tropicalis exists as part of the community of fungi that colonize the oral cavity. The acquisition of the oral colonizers may be altered by factors such as pregnancy events and outcomes, mode of delivery. This pilot study aimed to determine the Candida species that colonize the oral cavity of neonates and some maternal/neonatal factors that affect neonatal oral colonization. This was a cross sectional study in three tertiary health care facility in Jos, North-Central Nigeria. Oral swab samples were collected from the neonates and processed using both phenotypic and molecular techniques. The rate of neonatal oral colonization was 6.9%. The four Candida species isolated and characterized were Candida tropicalis as confirmed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Candida tropicalis is one of the major neonatal oral colonizers. This pilot study emphasizes the need for routine determination of common agents of oral colonization to predict the impact on adult health.