Candida Species Biofilm on Silicone and Latex from Pacifiers

Fungal infections are most commonly caused by pathogenic Candida species. Most of microorganisms attached to surfaces in the form of biofilms. Formation of a biofilm on a silicone or latex from pacifiers depends initially on the ability of the microorganism to adhere. Objective: The present study evaluated Candida biofilm growing on surface of small discs of silicone and latex from different types of pacifiers. Methods: Three species of Candida were used in this study: C. albicans (ATCC 36901), C. glabrata (ATCC 2001) and C. parapsilosis (ATCC 22019). Discs of silicone and latex were cut from pacifiers and placed in culture plates with a standardized cell suspension that were incubated for 24 and 48 h. Biofilm formation was determined quantitatively by a colorimetric assay involving reduction of a tetrazolium salt and was visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: All species were assayed for biofilm formation for 24 and 48 h but C. albicans appeared to have more capacity for biofilm formation (P > 0.05). Biofilms formation by C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis on discs prepared from different pacifier materials were examined and almost identical results were obtained with silicone and latex pacifiers supplied by differents manufactures. Biofilm formation on latex was slightly increased (P > 0.05) when compared with silicone discs. SEM has revealed that surface topographies of silicone and latex are quite distinct. The scanning electron micrographs of biofilms formation showed a dense network of yeasts, germ tubes, pseudohyphae and hyphae as well extracellular polymeric material on surfaces of some of these morphological forms. Conclusion: The results suggested that two materials are susceptibility for Candida biofilm but the latex pacifier could be more problematic than silicone. So, pacifiers could be considered a reservoir of Candida species in the babies' oral cavities.