Abstract
Purpose: The prevalence of Candida infections has been rising with an increasingly
aging population and a larger population of immunocompromised individuals. The
use of probiotics may be an alternative approach to antifungal agents in the prevention
and treatment of oral candidiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effect of
probiotics in reducing the infection level of oral Candida in candidiasis-asymptomatic
elderly denture wearers.
Materials and Methods: In a double-blind randomized study, 59 denture wearers
harboring Candida spp. in the oral cavity with no clinical symptoms were allocated into
two groups: probiotic and placebo. All patients were instructed to clean the denture
daily. The probiotic group poured a capsule containing lyophilized Lactobacillus
rhamnosus HS111, Lactobacillus acidophillus HS101, and Bifidobacterium bifidum
daily on the palatal surface of the maxillary denture, whereas the placebo group
was submitted to the same regimen using placebo capsules. Candida spp. infection
levels were evaluated in palate mucosa samples obtained before and after a 5-week
experimental period.
Results: All patients harbored Candida in the palate mucosa at baseline. Fifty-five
individuals completed the experimental period. The detection rate of Candida spp.
was 92.0% in the placebo group after the experimental period, whereas it was reduced
to 16.7% in the probiotic group. The reduction promoted by the probiotic regimen was
independent of baseline characteristics such as Candida infection level and colonizing
species, age of denture, and other variables.
Conclusion: The probiotic product was effective in reducing the colonization of
the oral cavity with Candida in candidiasis-asymptomatic elderly denture wearers,
suggesting that this multispecies probiotic could be used to prevent oral candidiasis.
Clinical implications: Colonization of oral surfaces by Candida is considered a risk
factor for invasive fungal infections. The use of a product with L. rhamnosus, L.
acidophilus, and B. bifidum may represent an alternative treatment for reduction of
Candida infections in elderly denture wearers.
aging population and a larger population of immunocompromised individuals. The
use of probiotics may be an alternative approach to antifungal agents in the prevention
and treatment of oral candidiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effect of
probiotics in reducing the infection level of oral Candida in candidiasis-asymptomatic
elderly denture wearers.
Materials and Methods: In a double-blind randomized study, 59 denture wearers
harboring Candida spp. in the oral cavity with no clinical symptoms were allocated into
two groups: probiotic and placebo. All patients were instructed to clean the denture
daily. The probiotic group poured a capsule containing lyophilized Lactobacillus
rhamnosus HS111, Lactobacillus acidophillus HS101, and Bifidobacterium bifidum
daily on the palatal surface of the maxillary denture, whereas the placebo group
was submitted to the same regimen using placebo capsules. Candida spp. infection
levels were evaluated in palate mucosa samples obtained before and after a 5-week
experimental period.
Results: All patients harbored Candida in the palate mucosa at baseline. Fifty-five
individuals completed the experimental period. The detection rate of Candida spp.
was 92.0% in the placebo group after the experimental period, whereas it was reduced
to 16.7% in the probiotic group. The reduction promoted by the probiotic regimen was
independent of baseline characteristics such as Candida infection level and colonizing
species, age of denture, and other variables.
Conclusion: The probiotic product was effective in reducing the colonization of
the oral cavity with Candida in candidiasis-asymptomatic elderly denture wearers,
suggesting that this multispecies probiotic could be used to prevent oral candidiasis.
Clinical implications: Colonization of oral surfaces by Candida is considered a risk
factor for invasive fungal infections. The use of a product with L. rhamnosus, L.
acidophilus, and B. bifidum may represent an alternative treatment for reduction of
Candida infections in elderly denture wearers.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 194–199 |
Journal | Journal of Prosthodontics: implant, esthetic, and reconstructive dentistry |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |