Effect of Antifungal and Pellicle Composition on Candida Biofilm

Objectives: The aims of this study were: 1) to evaluate the bioactivity of biofilms of Candida spp formed on different pellicles composition formed on acrylic resin discs; 2) to evaluate the efficacy of fluconazole on biofilms formed over those pellicles. Methods: Pellicles of whole saliva, 100% serum, saliva added with 5%of serum, saliva added with 20% of serum and saliva added with 50% of serum were formed on the surface of acrylic resin discs. Next, biofilms of Candida albicans ATCC 90028 and Candida glabrata ATCC 2001 were developed on PMMA surfaces placed inside pre-sterilized flatbottomed 24-well microtiter plate during 24, 48 and 72 hours and divided into two groups: control and experimental. Fluconazole was added in the experimental groups and the concentrations used were 2,56µg/ml for saliva and 4,39µg/ml for serum. The biofilms bioactivity was evaluated by XTT at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test, with significance level set at 5%. Results: Bioactivity of Candida albicans biofilms treated with fluconazole decreased for all groups (P<0.0001) independent of the developed time of biofilm formation. However, when compared the bioactivity among groups, only for 72 hours there was a significant difference for the group with saliva added with 5% of serum (P<0.05). It was observed that the lower and the higher bioactivity were found for non treated and treated groups, respectively. Regarding C. glabrata biofilm bioactivity no statistical significant differences were found among all groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the pellicle composition could interfere with bioactivity of C. albicans as fluconazole decreased its bioactivity. Supported by FAPESP, Proc. 2008/03210-8.