LAUSR

BACKGROUND Candida biofilm is a major cause of denture stomatitis. We aimed to compare the efficacy of low-molecular-weight chitosan solutions against Candida albicans biofilm on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin. METHODS Various types of chitosan were tested for anti-Candida activity by broth dilution. Two types were selected for further testing on 24-hour C.albicans biofilm formed on PMMA specimens. Specimens were randomly distributed among experimental groups, including 0.1% and 0.2% acetic acid, 3 and 6 mg/ml of oligomer chitosan and 30 kDa chitosan solutions, effervescent tablet (Polident), and 0.2% chlorhexidine, and immersed for 5 min to 12 h. The viability of C. albicans after cleansing were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Remaining viability was calculated into percentage relative to respective controls and analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc tests. Live/dead fluorescence microscopy was also performed. RESULTS Chitosan solutions had high efficacy against C. albicans biofilm on PMMA. The mean relative viability compared to control after 12-h immersion was 6.60±4.75% and 12.72±6.96% for 3 and 6 mg/ml oligomer, respectively, and 11.68±4.81% and 18.08±6.20% for 3 and 6 mg/ml 30 kDa chitosan, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Low-molecular-weight chitosan solution is an effective antifungal denture cleanser that can significantly reduce C.albicans viability in biofilm on PMMA.