Extracellular matrix of Candida albicans biofilms developed on poly (methyl methacrylate) acrylic resin in the presence of salivary concentrations of fluconazole

• Grant number: 13/02496-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Wander José da Silva
• Grantee: Jade Nascimento Zanato
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The fluconazol is an antifungal commonly used in the treatment of Candida-associated denture stomatitis. However its success is limited, among other factors, by the presence of an extracellular matrix in Candida albicans biofilms. Thus, this study aims to investigate the extracellular matrix of biofilms of C. albicans developed on poly (methyl methacrylate) acrylic resin in the presence of salivary concentrations of fluconazole. For this, specimens (10 mm x 2 mm) of poly (methyl methacrylate) acrylic resin will be fabricated as indicated by the manufacturer, and its surface roughness and surface free energy will be standardized. Afterwards, human salivary pellicles will be formed on specimen's surface. Next, biofilms of a reference strain and two clinical isolates of C. albicans will be developed for a period of 72 h on specimen's surface. Two groups will be formed: control and experimental, being the fluconazole at 2.56 µg/mL (concentration bioavailable in saliva) added to the culture medium of the experimental group. The culture mediums of the control and experimental groups will be changed at every 24 h. Biofilms formed under these conditions will be investigated for their cell counts, as well as the quantitative and three-dimensional analysis of the extracellular matrix. The cell counts will be measured by serial dilution. The quantitative analysis of the extracellular matrix will be performed by the phenol-sulfuric method, while the three-dimensional analysis will be performed by confocal microscopy. The data will be analyzed by statistical tests to be defined after exploratory analysis with a significance level of 5%. (AU)