Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Dental Research, Dental Clinics, Dental Prospects 2008-210X 9 4 2015 12 30 Candida Carriage Rate and Growth Characteristics of Saliva in Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Case‒Control Study 274 279 10.15171/joddd.2015.048 EN Preethi Balan Subhas B Gogineni Sucheta Kumari N Veena Shetty Anusha Lakshman Rangare Renita L Castelino Fazil Areekat K Journal Article 10.15171/joddd.2015.048 2016 01 19 Background and aims. The aim of this study was to establish a relationship between salivary glucose levels and Candida carriage rate in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and assess the growth characteristics and acid production of Candida in glucose-supplemented saliva.Materials and methods. A total of 90 subjects, 30 with controlled type 2 diabetes, 30 with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and 30 without diabetes (control subjects), aged 30‒60 years, participated in the study. Unstimulated saliva was collected and investigated for glucose levels (GOD-POD method), colony-forming units (CFU) of Candida and salivary pH, using Indikrom paper strips). Analysis of statistical significance of salivary glucose and PH levels was carried out using post hoc Tukey HSD test. Correlation of Candida carriage rate with salivary glucose and salivary PH in the study groups and control group was made using Pearson’s correlation.Results. Candida CFUs were significantly higher in diabetic subjects, with a significant and positive correlation with sali-vary glucose levels. There was a negative correlation between salivary PH levels and Candida carriage rate.Conclusion. Increased salivary glucose was associated with increased prevalence of oral Candida in diabetic subjects. The growth of Candida in saliva was accompanied by a rapid decline in PH, which in turn favored their growth.