The ozone influence on Candida monospecies biofilms and on Candida spp./Streptococcus mutans biofilms

• Grant number: 19/26418-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Regina Helena Pires
• Grantee: Barbara Higa
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Candida species express virulence factors and cause infections in addition to being able to form monospecies or polymicrobial biofilms. In the mouth, the resident microbiota plays an important role in the nonspecific host resistance to exogenous pathogens. However, microbiota may also contribute to the pathogenicity of numerous clinical conditions, such as oral streptococci that secrete enzymes that facilitate the formation of polymicrobial biofilms. Research on new antifungal agents has shown that ozone has antifungal activity, although its effect on monospecies biofilms generated by Candida or mixed species biofilms, namely Candida spp. - Streptococcus, are rare or nonexistent. In this study, we will evaluate the interaction that occurs between different Candida species (C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis) with the bacteria S. mutans in the formation of mixed biofilms, as well as anti-biofilm ozone potential after enrichment of mineral oil and water. The biofilms will be formed in 96-well plates and the biomass will be quantified by the crystal violet methodology. The ozone antifungal activity evaluation against mono and mixed biofilms, at times ranging from 0 - 120 minutes, will be performed by broth microdilution method. Post-treatment cell viability will be determined by the colony counting method by enumerating colony forming units (CFU) per milliliter (mL) of solution after plating on agar. The demonstration of the ozone effect on these biofilms can corroborate with the research of new alternatives to the treatment of candidiasis. (AU)