Antagonistic effect of isolated and commercially available probiotics on the growth of Candida albicans on acrylic resin denture surfaces.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Biofilms can be retained on dental prostheses leading to the development of infections. The indiscriminate use of antifungal drugs can result in the development of microorganisms that are resistant to these antimicrobial agents. Whether probiotics are a suitable alternative for reducing the prevalence of oral candidiasis is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of 6 different live strains of probiotics and 2 commercially available probiotic supplements used for inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans biofilm in heat-polymerized acrylic resin denture base material and to determine whether biofilm byproducts modify the surface of specimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Biofilms of C. albicans were formed on acrylic resin specimens in the presence of probiotics and quantified by colony-forming units (CFUs), and the surface roughness (Ra) of the specimens was assessed before and after the formation of biofilms. The CFU and roughness data were analyzed by analysis of variance and the Tukey HSD test (α=.05). RESULTS: A significant decrease in the number (CFU/mL) of C. albicans cells was found when they were cultured with 4 probiotics: B. lactis (P=.045), B. longum (P<.001), L. casei (P<.001), and L. helveticus (P<.001) and with the commercially available probiotic Prolive (P=.05). The Ra of specimens decreased after exposure to different microbial biofilms (P≤.05) except in 3 experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the tested probiotics had an antagonistic effect on the growth of C. albicans, and the surface of acrylic resin was altered after exposure to biofilm byproducts.