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Published on: January 27, 2015
Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation on Candida albicans Biofilm on Poly(methylmethacrylate) Resin
Randold Binns1, Wei Li2, Christine D Wu2
1Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, UIC, Chicago, IL.
Purpose:
To investigate the effect of 254-nm ultraviolet light on the viability of Candida albicans biofilm on poly(methylmethacrylate).
Methods:
Poly(methylmethacrylate) specimens (1 cm × 1 cm × 1 mm) were placed in 6-well culture plates. Each well contained 8 ml of 104 colony forming units/milliliter of C. albicans ATCC90028 and Sabouraud dextrose broth. Plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Specimens were then divided into 11 groups (n = 4): no treatment control groups, 3.8% sodium perborate immersion for 5 minutes (PP5m) and for 12 hours (PO12h), and 6 groups exposed to ultraviolet light for 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 or 300 seconds separately using UVP XX-15S series lamps. After sonication, cell suspensions were plated, and colony-forming units were counted. The relationship between survival of C. albicans and ultraviolet light irradiation energy exposure was analyzed and compared to the survival of sodium perborate groups. The effect of disinfection treatments and ultraviolet light energy exposure on C. albicans survival was analyzed with ANOVA (alpha = 0.05).
Results:
There was a significant decrease in C. albicans survival with increasing ultraviolet light energy exposure (p = 0.00001, p < 0.05) Survival vs. immersion exposure time analysis of chemical disinfection showed no survival of C. albicans in groups PP5m and PO12h. C. albicans in the UV 300s group with energy of 210 mJ/cm2 (71 CFU/ml) showed a statistical difference from that of two chemical immersion groups (PP5m, PO12h = 0 CFU/ml) (p = 0.00001, p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Ultraviolet 254 nm irradiation demonstrated a significant inhibition of C. albicans survival on poly(methylmethacrylate) samples. Ultraviolet light exposure of 300 seconds inhibited the survival of C. albicans close to the level of 3.8% sodium perborate treatment.
Insights
254-nm ultraviolet light significantly reduced Candida albicans biofilm viability on poly(methylmethacrylate). UV irradiation for 300 seconds approached the efficacy of 3.8% sodium perborate disinfection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biomaterials Science
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Candida albicans forms biofilms on poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), a common dental material.
- Biofilm formation can lead to device failure and patient discomfort.
- Effective disinfection methods are crucial for managing C. albicans biofilms on PMMA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of 254-nm ultraviolet (UV) light in inhibiting C. albicans biofilm viability on PMMA.
- To compare UV light disinfection with traditional chemical disinfection using 3.8% sodium perborate.
Main Methods:
- PMMA specimens were inoculated with C. albicans and incubated to form biofilms.
- Biofilms were subjected to various durations of 254-nm UV light exposure or immersion in 3.8% sodium perborate.
- Post-treatment, C. albicans survival was quantified by colony-forming unit counts.
- Statistical analysis (ANOVA) was performed to compare treatment effects.
Main Results:
- Increasing UV light exposure significantly reduced C. albicans survival on PMMA (p < 0.05).
- 3.8% sodium perborate immersion (5 minutes and 12 hours) completely eliminated C. albicans.
- UV light exposure for 300 seconds (210 mJ/cm²) significantly reduced C. albicans survival, approaching the effectiveness of sodium perborate (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- 254-nm UV irradiation is an effective method for inhibiting C. albicans biofilm on PMMA.
- UV light disinfection offers a promising alternative or adjunct to chemical disinfection for PMMA devices.
- Optimized UV light exposure times can achieve disinfection levels comparable to chemical agents.

