The effect of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid on Candida albicans.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal effect of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on Candida albicans, comparing it with that of various disinfectants and common antifungal agents.


METHODS
Two clinical oral isolates and 1 standard strain of C albicans were included in this study. Main contents of the test solutions were sodium hypochlorite, EDTA, chlorhexidine, hexetidine, benzalkonium chloride, povidone-iodine, nystatin, and ketoconazole. The agar diffusion method was used to determine the antifungal effects of the solutions. Zones of inhibition were recorded and the results were analyzed statistically by using a 2-way analysis of variance.


RESULTS
EDTA demonstrated the highest antifungal activity in comparison with routine antifungal drugs and all other solutions (P <.0001). Oral cavity isolate was more resistant to the test solutions (P <.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The selection of irrigating and disinfecting solution in root canals of patients with a particularly high incidence of oral candidiasis gains extreme importance. EDTA may be strongly recommended during endodontic therapy of these patients.
Sen
B H
BH
Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. bbsen@superonline.com
Akdeniz
B G
BG
Denizci
A A
AA
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D004492:Edetic Acid