Microbial Flora And Oral Hygiene Status Associated With Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (Opmds) And Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Oscc): A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background:Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a multifactorial disease and has been predominantly associated with betel quid chewing, smoking, alcohol consumption, and various other co-factors. The involvement of microorganisms in oral cancer is an area of research, where little attention has been paid to the relevance of these to overall patient morbidity.

Aim of the study:The study aims to assess the oral hygiene status and the type of microbial flora in subjects with Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) compared tohealthy subjects.

Materials and Methods:The oral hygiene index (OHI – index) of Green – Vermillion method was used and recorded. Collection of swabs from lesion sites of OPMDs and OSCC patientsandthe healthy controls. One oral swab was used for direct slide preparation for microscopic microbiological examination and the other swab was used for inoculating onto the culture plates.

Results:The most common oral microbes isolated were α-Haemolytic streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Compare the oral microbial flora of the study groups with that of the control group, showing thatthe microbial flora was present in both relative frequencies varied. Other microbes likeKlebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter species,and Candida albicanswere isolated only in the OSCC group.

Conclusions:Only a restricted group of oral flora species thrive in the tumor environment and may contribute to cancer progression. These findings can aid clinicians in treatment and prognosis. Optimal oral hygiene and appropriate antimicrobial agents are crucial for oral cancer patients to enhance recovery and reduce post-operative complications.