Oral candidal speciation, virulence and antifungal susceptibility in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

•C. albicans remains the predominant pathogen in diabetics, although other species are on the rise.•Increased activity of virulence factor, proteinase among diabetics indicate its role in host tissue invasion.•Resistance to fluconazole among C.non-albicans isolates in diabetics underline correct treatment.•Employing simple microbiological tools at the intermittent visit of diabetics could help in effective antifungal treatment and prevent the emergence of resistant species.