Oral carriage ofCandida albicans, ABO blood group and secretor status in healthy subjects

ABO blood group and secretor status were determined in healthy subjects in relation to oral carriage of Candida albicans, using a mouthwash technique to identify carriers and non-carriers. Of 100 subjects studied, 32% carried Candida, the main species isolated being C. albicans (94% isolates). Carriage of C. albicans was significantly associated with blood group O (p less than 0.001) and independently, with non-secretion of blood group antigens (p less than 0.001), with the trend towards carriage being greatest in group O non-secretors. This suggests that in healthy subjects, blood group O and non-secretion of blood group antigens are separate and cumulative risk factors for oral carriage of C. albicans.