Interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and their soluble receptors in the blood serum of patients with denture stomatitis and fungal infection.

Determinations of the blood serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and their soluble receptors (sIL-6R, sTNFR) in denture stomatitis patients (DS) were performed. Serum levels of interleukins and their soluble receptors were measured using the ELISA method. In all examined patients mycological diagnostics were conducted using API 20C AUX stripe tests and an automatic ATB machine. Results were compared with those of healthy denture wearers (D), and controls (C). In DS patients, yeasts were isolated in 90.9%, in D in 66.7% of cases. The most often isolated species in both groups was Candida albicans. Mean concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were statistically significantly higher in DS and D groups compared to controls. Mean concentrations of sIL-6R were similar in all groups; however, concentrations of sTNFR in both DS and D groups were significantly lower compared to controls. There were no correlations found between values of IL-6 and TNF-alpha nor between examined interleukins and their soluble receptors.