Microbiological studies in Western Samoa

Abstract
1. Mouthwashings taken from 251 subjects whose ages ranged from 3 to 60+ years were investigated for the presence of yeast-like organisms. 2. Yeast-like organisms were recovered from 25 per cent. of the children and 40 per cent. of the adults. 3. Candida albicans was isolated from 14 per cent. of the children and under 30 per cent. of the adults. Only two-thirds of the yeasts isolated were C. albicans. 4. Candida guillermondii, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, C. tropicalis and 10 unidentified yeast-like organisms constituted the remaining third of the isolates. 5. Yeast-like organisms of all kinds and C. albicans were not found to be associated with severe caries or gingivitis or tonsillar enlargement. 6. The results obtained in Samoa are compared with those found in Dunedin, New Zealand, and with other surveys. There is a significantly higher incidence of yeast-like organisms and especially of C. albicans (P < .001) in New Zealand). The variation in techniques makes comparison with other findings difficult. 7. The presence of the following dermatophytes in Samoa is recorded: Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. tonsurans var. sulphureum, T. concentricum.
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