Interkingdom interaction between C. albicans and S. salivarius on titanium surfaces

Abstract

Background In oral candidiasis models, Candida albicans and Streptococcus salivarius sp. biofilms have an antagonistic relationship. Due to this, S. salivarius have been used experimentally as probiotic. However, the interaction between these microorganisms in the peri-implantitis-like microenvironment remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between C. albicans and S. salivarius biofilms developed on titanium surfaces, under reduced oxygen levels. Methods Titanium specimens were pre-conditioned with artificial saliva (1 h, 37 °C). Single-species biofilms of C. albicans (ATCC 90028) and co-culture biofilms of C. albicans and S. salivarius (ATCC 7073) was developed for 24 and 72 h on titanium specimens. Subsequently, the effect of these intervals of biofilm formation and the interactions among the cells were evaluated. Biofilms from cultures were collected and analyzed for cell viability (CFU/mL), biofilm biomass, and total protein dosage. Data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney test (α = 5%). In addition, co-culture biofilms were analyzed using fluorescence microscopy. Results C. albicans growth did not change due to the presence of S. salivarius. Besides, co-culture biofilms showed a significant difference in the number of viable cells between 24 and 72 h of biofilm development (p < 0.05). The highest biofilm biomass and protein dosage were observed in co-cultures at 72 h of biofilm development. Fluorescence microscopy showed that co-cultures biofilms at 24 h have limited number of pseudo-hyphal and hyphae cells of C. albicans. At 72 h, these types of cells have increased. S. salivarius in both stages of development was present in some clusters surrounded by C. albicans. Conclusions Co-cultivation of C. albicans with S. salivarius in biofilms developed on titanium surfaces, under lower oxygen levels, did not affect fungus growth. In addition, S. salivarius did not hind C. albicans virulence. These findings suggest that the use of S. salivarius as a probiotic would be ineffective in peri-implant disease treatment.

Cross-kingdom microbial interactions in dental implant-related infections: is Candida albicans a new villain?

“…Some in vitro studies by our group and others have shown the ability of C. albicans to adhere to Ti surfaces and to readily form mono- and mixed-species biofilms ( Cavalcanti et al., 2014 , 2014 , 2015 , 2016a , 2016b , 2014 ; Martorano-Fernandes et al., 2020 ; Montelongo-Jauregui et al., 2018 ; Souza et al., 2020a , 2020b , 2020d ). Similarly, Candida spp.…”

In it together: Candida–bacterial oral biofilms and therapeutic strategies

“…In addition, there was a study aimed at evaluating the interaction between C. albicans and Streptococcus salivarius biofilms developed on titanium surfaces, under reduced oxygen levels (Martorano-Fernandes et al, 2020). Unlike their antagonistic relationship observed in oral candidiasis models (Ishijima et al, 2012;James et al, 2016), the presence of S. salivarius did not affect fungus growth or C. albicans virulence in the context of peri-implant disease (Martorano-Fernandes et al, 2020). Interestingly, virulence factors of C. albicans expressed in biofilms formed on titanium (i.e.…”

“…Another study reported similar findings that mutualistic C. albicans-S. gordonii crosskingdom interactions enhanced biofilm formation and fostered a high level of resistance to combination therapy with antifungal and antibacterial drugs (Montelongo-Jauregui et al, 2018). In addition, there was a study aimed at evaluating the interaction between C. albicans and Streptococcus salivarius biofilms developed on titanium surfaces, under reduced oxygen levels (Martorano-Fernandes et al, 2020). Unlike their antagonistic relationship observed in oral candidiasis models (Ishijima et al, 2012;James et al, 2016), the presence of S. salivarius did not affect fungus growth or C. albicans virulence in the context of peri-implant disease (Martorano-Fernandes et al, 2020).…”

“…salivarius did not affect fungus growth or C . albicans virulence in the context of peri‐implant disease (Martorano‐Fernandes et al ., 2020). Interestingly, virulence factors of C .…”

“…In addition, there was a study aimed at evaluating the interaction between C . albicans and Streptococcus salivarius biofilms developed on titanium surfaces, under reduced oxygen levels (Martorano‐Fernandes et al ., 2020). Unlike their antagonistic relationship observed in oral candidiasis models (Ishijima et al ., 2012; James et al ., 2016), the presence of S .…”