In vitro Adhesion of Oral Candida dubliniensis Isolates to Acrylic Denture Surfaces following Brief Exposure to Sub-Cidal Concentrations of Polyenes, Azoles and Chlorhexidine

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the effect of brief exposure to sub-cidal concentrations of nystatin, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluconazole and chlorhexidine gluconate on the adhesion of oral Candida dubliniensis isolates to the surface of acrylic dentures. METHODS: After determining the minimum inhibitory concentration of each drug, 20 oral isolates of C. dubliniensis were exposed to sub-cidal concentrations of the drugs for 1 h. The drugs were then removed by dilution, and the adhesion of the isolates to denture acrylic strips was assessed by an in vitro adhesion assay. RESULTS: Compared to the controls, exposure to nystatin, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluconazole and chlorhexidine gluconate suppressed the ability of C. dubliniensis isolates to adhere to acrylic denture surfaces with a reduction of 74.68, 74.27, 57.31, 44.57 and 56.53% (p < 0.001 for all drugs), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Brief exposure to sub-cidal concentrations of anti-mycotics suppressed the adhesion of C. dubliniensis oral isolates to acrylic denture surfaces.