Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Chlorhexidine Containing Varnish on Candida Biofilm

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the preventive and therapeutic efficacy of a sustained-release varnish (SRI) Cervitec Plus compared with Corsodyl (R) mouthwash against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata on acrylate surfaces. Nystatin as the positive control, and sterile saline solution as the negative control, were used. To examine the preventive efficacy of the agents, Candida biofilms were developed in Sabouraud liquid medium, and mature biofilms were treated with the antifungal. To investigate the preventive efficacy, the agents were applied to the wells of the plates and the biofilms were grown in the treated wells. To determine the metabolic activity of biofilms, the XTT-assay was used. In the case of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis, the most effective therapeutic product was Corsodyl (R) followed by Cervitec Plus (R) and Nystatin. The differences were statistically significant when Corsodyl (R) was compared to Nystatin (p <= 0.05). In relation to C. tropicalis and C. glabrata, Corsodyl (R) showed the greatest therapeutic efficacy followed by Nystatin and Cervitec Plus. For both species, the results of Corsodyl" and Cervitec Plus (R) showed statistically significant difference (p <= 0.05). The most effective preventive product for each examined Candida species was Nystatin, followed by Cervitec Plus and Corsodyl (R). Significant differences were between Nystatin and Corsodyl (R) (p <= 0.05). The preventive and therapeutic efficacy of Cervitec Plus and Corsodyl (R), against the examined Candida species, was detected. Because of the disadvantageous side-effects of Nystatin, Cervitec Plus can be considered as an alternative preventive agent against Candida species.