Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42343426›Full record

SynthesisSystematic reviews2026

Efficacy of probiotics in the management of oral candidiasis: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Vini Mehta, Cosimo Galletti, Ankita Mathur, Namrata Suresh, Dhruva Nandi, Javier Flores-Fraile

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Systematic reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Vini MehtaDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Cosimo GallettiFaculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Degli Studi Kore Di Enna, Enna, Italy.
Ankita MathurDental Research Cell, Dr. Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be University), Pune, 411018, India. ankita.statsense@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0002-9004-9072
Namrata SureshDental Research Cell, Dr. Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be University), Pune, 411018, India.
Dhruva NandiDental Research Cell, Dr. Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be University), Pune, 411018, India.
Javier Flores-FraileDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOral candidiasis (OC) is among the most prevalent oral infections, frequently associated with immunosuppression, denture wearing, advanced age, and excessive antibiotic use. Given the growing concerns about antifungal resistance, probiotics are being explored as potential adjuncts in the management of oral Candida overgrowth. Existing literature provides fragmented evidence; thus, an umbrella review was planned to synthesize the available evidence on the effectiveness of probiotic interventions in reducing oral Candida spp. COUNT:

methodsA comprehensive, independent search was conducted in four databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science) covering literature from inception to 31st January 2026. Systematic reviews (SRs) with or without meta-analyses (MAs) assessing the effectiveness of probiotics in reducing oral Candida spp. count in terms of colony-forming units/mL (CFU/mL) were included. The quality assessment of the evidence was evaluated using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

resultsOut of the 157 retrieved records, 7 studies were included in this umbrella review, out of which 5 were SRMAs, and 2 were SRs. The interventions involved multi-strain probiotics delivered through various formulations, routes, and treatment durations. Across the 5 SRMAs, probiotic interventions demonstrated beneficial effects by reducing Candida spp. with effect estimates ranging from odds ratio (OR) 0.06 to 0.71; however, wide interstudy heterogeneity (I

conclusionsProbiotics may have a potential role in the prevention and treatment of OC; however, the current evidence base cannot be generalized due to significant heterogeneity and methodological constraints. Probiotics can supplement conventional antifungal treatment, but their standalone use is not recommended yet. High-quality, standardized randomized controlled trials and comprehensive SRMAs are necessary to better understand the effectiveness of probiotics in OC management. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD420251117392.

Indexed as

Candidiasis, OralProbioticsHumansMeta-Analysis as TopicSystematic Reviews as TopicAntifungal resistanceCandida albicansLactobacillus sppOral candidiasisOral microbiomeProbiotics

Identifiers

PMID42343426
PMCPMC13556008

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.