Candida and the inflammatory response in biopsy samples v1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Candida albicans colonization and inflammatory response in biospy samples

  • IRAS ID

    136258

  • Contact name

    Helen Rogers

  • Contact email

    rogersh@cardiff.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Cardiff University

  • Research summary

    Candida albicans is a common fungus that can behave as a commensal or pathogen in humans. It is widely known to cause oral infections especially in the immunocompromised causing morbidity, the potential for systemic infection and even death. The are four clinical presentations of oral candidosis and chronic hyperplastic candidosis is one that is routinely biopsied therefore will be used in this study.

    Within the oral cavity, tissue biopsy samples for diagnostic purposes are taken as part of routine clinical care. Residual tissue from the specimen remains that is surplus to diagnostic requirements. Anonymised tissue from this surplus material will be used to study the inflammatory response in chronic hyperplastic candidosis compared to a range of controls. By demonstrating the inflammatory cells in clinical biopsy samples containing Candida we will further develop our understanding on the mechanism of Candida and the host interaction leading to either colonisation or infection.

    Objectives

    The identification of inflammatory in Candida albicans infected biopsy samples from chronic hyperplastic candidosis patients.

    Samples

    Tissue samples will be obtained from archival formalin fixed diagnostic biopsy specimens, held in the School of Dentistry, Cardiff University. All samples will be identified and anonymised by A. V. Jones (consultant pathologist) using an alphanumeric coding system before being given to the researcher. The alpha code (A-E) will indicate the diagnostic / tissue type (i.e. A - chronic hyperplastic candidosis) and the number will indicate the sample. This system will allow reproducibility and confirmation of immunohistochemical findings on repeat staining. With the exception of the diagnosis, no other patient related information will be included.

    Stains will be used for immunohistochemistry for identification of the inflammatory cells. The tissue will not be destroyed in this process and will be stored according to the human tissue act after the study.

  • REC name

    South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/SC/1064

  • Date of REC Opinion

    18 Jun 2014

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion