Relationship between thigmotropism and Candida biofilm formation in vitro

Mycopathologia. 1998;144(3):125-9. doi: 10.1023/a:1007073930933.

Abstract

The biofilm formation of the oral fungal pathogen Candida on denture acrylic strips coated with saliva or serum was examined in relation to the ability to induce hyphae by thigmotropic reaction, using C. albicans (4 isolates), C. glabrata (3 isolates) and C. tropicalis (3 isolates). Both the degree of biofilm formation and the amount of hyphae exhibiting thigmotropism varied depending upon both the species and strains of Candida. Although there was no significant correlation between the amount of hyphae induced by thigmotropic reaction of fungal isolates and biofilm formation on uncoated control specimens (r = 0.577; p < 0.05), the ability of hyphae induced by thigmotropic reaction significantly correlated with the amount of both saliva- and serum-admixed biofilms (r = 0.734; p < 0.05 and r = 0.793; p < 0.01, respectively). Taken together our in vitro data suggested that the hyphal induction by thigmotropic reaction is of importance in candidal biofilm formation on saliva- or serum-coated acrylic surfaces.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Blood / microbiology
  • Candida / pathogenicity
  • Candida / physiology*
  • Candida albicans / pathogenicity
  • Candida albicans / physiology
  • Candidiasis, Oral / etiology
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Dental Materials
  • Dentures / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Materials Testing
  • Saliva / microbiology
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Dental Materials