title: Sensitivity of Candida albicans biofilm cells grown on denture acrylic to antifungal proteins and chlorhexidine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Candida albicans cells form biofilms on polymeric surfaces of dentures and other prostheses introduced into the oral cavity. Many biofilm microorganisms exhibit resistance to antimicrobial agents; C. albicans cells may also develop resistance to naturally occurring antifungal peptides in human saliva including histatins (Hsts) and defensins (hBDs). Therefore, we evaluated Hst 5 activity on C. albicans biofilm cells compared to planktonic cells and measured whether surface treatment of denture acrylic with Hst 5, hBD-3, or chlorhexidine gluconate could inhibit in vitro biofilm development.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acrylic disks were preconditioned with 500 microl saliva for 30 min, and inoculated with C. albicans cells (10(6)cells/ml) for 1h, at 37 degrees C. Non-adherent cells were removed by washing and disks and were incubated in YPD growth medium for 24, 48, and 72 h at 37 degrees C. Candidacidal assays were performed on 48-h-biofilms and on planktonically grown cells using Hst 5 (15.5, 31.25, and 62 microM). Cell adhesion was compared on disks pre-coated with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, 50 microM Hst 5, or 0.6 microM hBD-3 after 24, 48, and 72 h growth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was observed in sensitivity to Hst 5 of biofilm cells compared to planktonic cells (p>0.05). Pre-coating disks with hBD-3 did not inhibit biofilm development; however, Hst 5 significantly inhibited biofilm development at 72 h, while 0.12% chlorhexidine significantly inhibited biofilm development at all time intervals (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  C. albicans biofilm cells grown on denture acrylic are sensitive to killing by Hst 5. Surface coating acrylic with chlorhexidine or Hst 5 effectively inhibits biofilm growth and has potential therapeutic application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Pusateri
authors.forename: Edward A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Monaco
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edgerton
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003819:Denture Bases / Q000382:microbiology*; D054808:Histatins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D012463:Saliva / Q000502:physiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000935:Antifungal Agents; C422950:DEFB103A protein, human; D003764:Dental Materials; C068075:HTN3 protein, human; D054808:Histatins; D023083:beta-Defensins; C040291:Lucitone; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine