title: Changes in the cell surface hydrophobicity of oral Candida albicans from smokers, diabetics, asthmatics, and healthy individuals following limited exposure to chlorhexidine gluconate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine the cell surface hydrophobicity of 40 oral Candida albicans isolates obtained from smokers, diabetics, asthmatics using steroid inhalers, and healthy individuals, following brief exposure to subtherapeutic concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty C. albicans oral isolates (10 isolates each from smokers, diabetics, asthmatics using steroid inhalers, and healthy individuals) were exposed to 3 subtherapeutic concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate (0.00125, 0.0025, and 0.005%) for 30 min. Thereafter, the antiseptic was removed and the cell surface hydrophobicity was measured by a biphasic aqueous-hydrocarbon assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the unexposed controls, the cell surface hydrophobicity of C. albicans isolates was suppressed by 5.40% (p > 0.05), 21.17% (p < 0.05), and 44.67% (p < 0.05) following exposure to 0.00125, 0.0025, and 0.005% chlorhexidine gluconate, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A brief period of transient exposure to subtherapeutic concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate may modulate the cell surface hydrophobicity of C. albicans isolates and thereby may reduce candidal pathogenicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioclinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait. arjuna@hsc.edu.kw
authors.forename: Arjuna N B
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Ellepola
authors.forename: Bobby K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Z U
authors.initials: ZU
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000382:microbiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions / Q000187:drug effects*; D012907:Smoking
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine