Candida albicans isolated from denture-related stomatitis in elderly patients: Antifungal susceptibility and production of virulence attributes

Abstract

Denture-related stomatitis caused by Candida spp. affects elderly individuals using partial/total prosthesis, provoking several discomforts including burning sensation and altered taste. Herein, we have studied 52 denture-wearing individuals (>60 years-old), attended at the dentistry clinic of UNIVALE, aiming to isolate Candida spp. directly from the stomatitis lesions and to evaluate their potential to produce virulence attributes. A low prevalence of denture-related stomatitis was reported in these patients (4/52; 7.7%). Candida albicans was isolated in the 4 selected patients, with the ability to form biofilm over a polystyrene surface and to produce aspartic protease, esterase and hemolysin. However, neither phospholipase nor caseinase activities were detected. Planktonic-growing yeasts were susceptible to amphotericin B and caspofungin, while the susceptibility to azoles (fluconazol, itraconazole and voriconazole) varied depending on either the isolate or antifungal. Relevantly, biofilm-forming C. albicans cells exhibited resistance to all studied antifungals. So, new effective drugs against resistant C. albicans isolates causing denture-related stomatitis are urgently required.

Microbiota bucal en el adulto mayor edéntulo. Revisión de la literatura

“…Cabe destacar que la biopelícula visible en prótesis está asociada a la presencia de Streptococcus spp y Candida spp en la saliva, por lo que su reducción se traduce en la disminución de la autoclisis, comprometiendo la higiene bucal y generando cambios en la microbiota bucal que pueden favorecer la disbiosis 9,46 . Por otra parte, y no menos importante Franco de Sousa et al 47 , reportaron el aislamiento de C. albicans resistentes a los azoles, incluido el fluconazol, usado comúnmente en el tratamiento de la estomatitis subprotésica, lo que origina el fracaso del tratamiento antifúngico y conduce a considerar nuevas opciones de tratamiento para aislados resistentes de C. albicans.…”