title: [Fungal invasion of connective tissue in patients with gingival-periodontal disease].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the last few years unusual microorganisms have been isolated from subgingival biofilm, as possible initiators or contributors to periodontal disease, especially in patients who show no improvement during treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the Candida invasion of the connective tissue in relation to subgingival biofilm presence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 55 immunocompetent patients of both sexes, between 21 and 55 years of age, non-smokers, without previous antimicrobial treatment, suffering periodontal diseases, were studied. Soft tissues, supragingival and subgingival plaque samples, and periodontal pocket biopsies were taken. Microscopic studies, cultures, assimilation profiles, and DNA amplifications were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 35% of the samples, different species of Candida were isolated in cultures, especially Candida albicans. Hyphae invasions in the connective tissue were observed, in association with anaerobic microorganisms (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans) in patients with periodontitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different species of Candida could be part of the periodontal plaque and could play an important role in the adherence to soft tissues, allowing deep invasion. They also could infect gingival pockets in patients with gingivitis, even in healthy locations, playing a commensal or opportunist role.
authors: Cátedra de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Nicolás Agustín
authors: NA
authors: Rubio
authors: Cátedra de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Puia
authors: Cátedra de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Toranzo
authors: Cátedra de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: mariaisabelbrusca@gmail.com.
authors: María Isabel
authors: MI
authors: Brusca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016866:Bacteroidaceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D018441:Biofilms; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D058365:Candidiasis, Invasive / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D060085:Coinfection; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005888:Gingival Pocket / Q000382:microbiology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D025301:Hyphae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000382:microbiology; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018713:Prevotella intermedia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013045:Species Specificity; D013559:Symbiosis; D014774:Virulence; D055815:Young Adult