Biofilm of Candida albicans from oral cavity of an HIV-infected child: challenge on enamel microhardness

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2013 Apr;115(4):500-4. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2012.11.003. Epub 2013 Feb 4.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of C. albicans on enamel microhardness in vitro.

Study design: Candida albicans was isolated from the oral mucosa (M) and dentin carious lesion (D) of an HIV+ child. Three groups of 12 enamel blocks each were placed in Petri plates (yeast carbon base agar/1% bovine serum albumin): G1, exposed to biofilm formed by C. albicans from M; G2, exposed to biofilm formed by C. albicans from D; G3, no biofilm. Three enamel blocks from each group were removed on days 3, 5, 8, and 10 after biofilm formation to measure the cross-sectional Knoop microhardness (CSMH) of the enamel areas, exposed and not exposed to biofilm.

Results: CSMH decreased in G1 and G2: in G1 on day 5, and in G2 on day 3 (analysis of variance: P < .05; Mann-Whitney test: P < .05), with a similar mean percentage reduction for both groups.

Conclusions: Candida albicans can reduce enamel microhardness in vitro.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biofilms*
  • Candida albicans / physiology*
  • Child
  • Dental Caries / microbiology
  • Dental Enamel / microbiology*
  • Dental Enamel / ultrastructure
  • Dentin / microbiology
  • HIV Seropositivity / microbiology*
  • Hardness
  • Humans
  • Microbial Viability
  • Mouth / microbiology*
  • Mouth Mucosa / microbiology
  • Mycology / methods
  • Time Factors
  • Tooth Demineralization / microbiology