Complex Electromagnetic Fields Reduce Candida albicans Planktonic Growth and Its Adhesion to Titanium Surfaces

Abstract

This study evaluates the effects of different programs of complex electromagnetic fields (C.M.F.s) on Candida albicans, in planktonic and sessile phase and on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF cells). In vitro cultures of C. albicans ATCC 10231 and HGF cells were exposed to different cycles of C.M.F.s defined as: oxidative stress, oxidative stress/antibacterial, antibacterial, antibacterial/oxidative stress. Colony forming units (CFUs), metabolic activity, cells viability (live/dead), cell morphology, filamentation analysis, and cytotoxicity assay were performed. The broth cultures, exposed to the different C.M.F.s, were grown on titanium discs for 48 h. The quantity comparisons of adhered C. albicans on surfaces were determined by CFUs and scanning electron microscopy. The C. albicans growth could be readily controlled with C.M.F.s reducing the number of cultivable planktonic cells vs. controls, independently by the treatment applied. In particular, the antibacterial program was associated with lower levels of CFUs. The quantification of the metabolic activity was significantly lower by using the oxidative stress program. Live/dead images showed that C.M.F.s significantly decreased the viability of C. albicans. C.M.F.s inhibited C. albicans virulence traits reducing hyphal morphogenesis, adhesion, and biofilm formation on titanium discs. The MTS assay showed no negative effects on the viability of HGF. Independent of the adopted protocol, C.M.F.s exert antifungal and anti-virulence action against C. albicans, no cytotoxicity effects on HGF and can be useful in the prevention and treatment of yeast biofilm infections.

The Antibacterial and Antifungal Capacity of Eight Commercially Available Types of Mouthwash against Oral Microorganisms: An In Vitro Study

“…C. albicans , a yeast, is a commensal oral microorganism that does not cause problems in healthy individuals, but can switch to an opportunistic pathogen. It can produce different diseases, such as denture stomatitis, and is involved in the failure of dental implant devices [ 16 ]. Due to its hydrophobicity on the cell surface, it has a remarkable ability to adhere to inert surfaces, such as dental restorations, acrylic prosthesis bases, and orthodontic metal appliances, thus causing a predisposition for oral infections [ 17 , 18 ].…”

A Novel 3D Titanium Surface Produced by Selective Laser Sintering to Counteract Streptococcus oralis Biofilm Formation

“…The exclusion criteria were antibiotic treatments within 1 month prior to the study [23]. The saliva was gently agitated for 10 min, centrifugated for 1 h at 16,000 rounds at 4 • C, sterilized through a 0.2 µm filter, and frozen at −20 • C [24].…”

“…The immersion of the discs for 2 h in saliva at 37 • C permitted the formation of the acquired pellicle in order to mimic the clinical conditions [14,15,24].…”

Complex magnetic fields represent an eco-sustainable technology to counteract the resistant Candida albicans growth without affecting the human gingival fibroblasts

“…The alternating magnetic field of 50 Hz affected the C. albicans viability, representing a new strategy for Candida infections 19 . D’Ercole et al, in previous two studies, demonstrated significant antimicrobial/anti-virulence actions of different CMF programs against C. albicans ATCC 10231, suggesting to better investigate the effect against clinical resistant C. albicans strain 20 , 21 . Based on these considerations, the aim of this study was twofold: (1) to evaluate the anti-biofilm effect of two different CMFs programs (STRESS and ANTIBACTERIAL) against a clinical resistant C. albicans strain, and their effect on the fluidity and permeability membrane changes; (2) to evaluate the effects of two different CMFs programs on gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) in order to verify if this technology exerts an effective antifungal activity against biofilm, without damaging gingival fibroblasts.…”