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

Background and Objective: 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.Materials and Methods: 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).Finding: 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 0.09 mg/ml, respectively, followed by miconazole (0.14 mg/mL), caspofungin (0.24 mg/mL) fluconazole (0.38 mg/mL) and itraconazole (0.5 mg/mL).Conclusion: 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.