ANTIFUNGAL EFFECTS OF ORAL HYGIENIC PRODUCTS ON IN-VITRO BIOFILMS

Abstract

Aim: The objective of the present study was to assess the preventive and therapeutic efficacy of Cervitec Plus against four Candida species grown on acrylic surfaces. Oral candidiasis is a common opportunistic infection due to fungal adherence to acrylic surfaces. Denture wearing patients have increased risk to candidal infection. Chlorhexidine containing antimicrobials are important for prevention and treatment of oral candidal infections.

Methods: The preventive and therapeutic antifungal effect of Cervitec Plus varnish compared with chlorohexidene mouth rinse was examined on artificial biofilm of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata. Nystatin was used as a positive control and Cervitec placebo varnish and sterile saline solution as negative controls. Phase one investigated the therapeutic effect and phase 2 the preventive effects of these agents. Candida biofilms were grown in Sabouraud liquid medium, after being treated by the antifungals and controls. In phase 2 the agents were applied to the wells of the plates and the artificial biofilms were then grown. To determine the metabolic activity of biofilms XTT-assay were used. The tests were performed in triplicate.

Results: In the therapeutic phase (1), Cervitec Plus varnish did not reduce the CFU of the candida species more than the generally used antimicrobials. The most effective therapeutic agent was Chlorohexidene, followed by Nystatin and Cervitec Plus. In phase 2 the most effective preventive agent against Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis was the Nystatine and Cervitec Plus, followed by Chlorohexidene. In the case of Candida tropicalis and glabrata, the Nystatin was more effective, compared to Cervitec Plus and Chlorohexidene.

Discussion: According to our findings, the therapeutic efficacy of Cervitec Plus is no greater than the other studied agents. A preventive effect of Cervitec Plus against Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis was shown. Because of side-effects of Nystatin, Cervitec Plus may be considered an alternative preventive agent against Candida species. Further study is required to investigate the long-term anticandidal effect of Cervitec.