Molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida species isolated from dental plaques

The aim of the present study was to provide insight into the prevalence and susceptibility profiles of Candida species isolated from the dental plaque of Iranian immunocompetent patients. As a biofilm, Candida species are responsible for several disorders common to the oral cavity including gingivitis, dental caries, periodontitis, and the less common severe systemic infections specifically in immunosuppressed individuals.

PCR-RFLP was performed to identify yeasts isolated from the dental plaques of 40 immunocompetent patients. Moreover, antifungal susceptibility testing was performed in according to CLSI guidelines (M27-A3).

Among 40 yeasts isolated from the dental plaques of immunocompetent patients, Candida albicans was the most common species (92.5%), followed by P. kudriavzevii (7.5%). It is the first isolation of P. kudriavzevii from dental plaques and the first evaluation of antifungal effect of the new imidazole, luliconazole and echinocandins against these samples worldwide. Luliconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B and anidulafungin showed the best activity with the lowest geometric mean (GM) 0.03, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.09μg/ml, respectively, followed by miconazole (0.14μg/mL), caspofungin (0.24μg/mL) fluconazole (0.38μg/mL) and itraconazole (0.5μg/mL).

The current study demonstrated luliconazole and echinocandins displayed excellent activity against all Candida isolates from dental plaques, presenting promising and potent alternative for all oral Candidiasis.