Development of Candida Biofilms on Bacterial Preformed Biofilms on Titanium Surfaces

Aim: Candida species are frequent inhabitants of the oral cavity and generally are associated with implanted biomaterials in a biofilm state. The adhesion to these materials has been studied, and it has been proposed that bacterial biofilms can enhance Candida’s ability to adhere to these materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of some oral Streptococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus preformed biofilms on the development of Candida species on titanium disks. Materials and methods: A biofilm model was performed to develop Streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus biofilm on 60 medical titanium surfaces firstly for 48 hours at incubation at 37°C in a 10% partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO₂) atmosphere. After that, Candida species was placed on bacterium-preformed biofilm. At the end of the incubation, samples were sonicated, and bacteria were treated for colony forming unit (CFU) count and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. Data was processed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey post hoc test, and p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The data showed that Candida albicans (C. albicans) and C. tropicalis were able to grow on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and S. aureus preformed biofilm. C. glabrata did not show any growth in comparison with control (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study imply that bacterial-preformed biofilm allows C. albicans and C. tropicalis to develop biofilm, especially on S. mutans and S. aureus. Clinical significance: The clinical significance of the present study reveals the importance of the maintenance of dental prosthesis hygiene because the bacterial preformed biofilm can lead yeast growing.