THE ORAL FUNGAL MICROBIOTA AMONG PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

Objectives: Information regarding oral fungal microflora in patients with COVID-19 has yet to be evaluated. This study investigates the main fungal species (with focus on Candida species) present in the oral cavity of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units (ICU) and their health providers. Design: One hundred twenty-eight oral sawbs were collected and cultured on CHROMagar from COVID-19 patiens in the ICU, hospital personel, and individusals not in contact with hospital facilities. Following the CHROMagar manufacturer's instructions, an initial identification of the isolated fungal species was performed. The final identification of the species was carried out using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight, Mass Spectrophotometry analysis (MALDI-TOF MS). Results: MALDI-TOF MS identified eight different Candida and Pichia species along with Ogataea polymorpha, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Trichosporum ashii. Conclusion: The study revealed the presence of several opportunistic fungal species among COVID-19 patients in an ICU facility without active disease. MALDI-TOF protein profile in cladistic analysis showed correlation between Candida species recovered from the investigated patients and health care personel.