134 - Effects of Probiotic Lactobacilli on C. albicans: Implications for ECC

Friday, May 24, 2024

10:45 AM - 10:55 AM EST

Location: Exhibit Hall (back left corner of the hall, space 137)

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Presenting Author(s)

Leena U. Menon, MDS (she/her/hers)

MS Resident (Pediatric Dentistry)
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry
UAB School of Dentistry
Kirkland, Washington, United States

Co-Author(s)

JS

Jessica Scoffield, PhD

University of Alabama at Birmingham
RR

Rata Rokhshad, DDS

UAB School of Dentistry
JJ

Janice Jackson, DMD

UAB School of Dentistry
PZ

Ping Zhang, DDS, PhD

UAB School of Dentistry

Program Director(s)

JJ

Janice G. Jackson, DMD

Professor & Chair Department of Pediatric Dentistry
University of Alabama at Birmingham
birmingham, Alabama, United States

Abstract:

Purpose:
Probiotic Lactobacillus species are shown to have beneficial effects against early childhood caries (ECC). On the other hand, the wide use of probiotic Lactobacillus spp. in dairy foods is believed to underline the global increase in ECC prevalence. Interestingly, in the last two decades, Candida albicans have been associated with ECC. The objective of this study was to determine the interactions between lactobacilli and C.albicans in growth competition, biofilm formation and acid production.

Methods:

Growth competition between C. albicans SC5314 (CA) and probiotic L. rhamnosus GG (L-GG) or caries-associated L. rhamnosus M72-26 (L-M72) were assessed on Lactobacillus MRS agar (LMRS) and Todd Hewitt-Yeast (THY) agar. Biofilm formation was evaluated by culturing lactobacilli and CA together or in separate transwell chambers to only allow metabolite exchange. Acid production by lactobacilli and CA single- and dual-species biofilms at different time intervals was analyzed using Orion pH meter.

Results:

L-GG and L-M72 inhibited the growth of CA on LMRS agar but not on THY agar when lactobacilli were grown 24 hours earlier. In MRS medium, L-GG+CA dual-species culture resulted in reduced biofilm formation compared to CA mono-species culture. However, this reduction was significant only when the organisms were in physical contact with each other. No biofilm reduction was noted in THY medium. The dual-species biofilm showed similar levels of acid production as lactobacilli single-species biofilms, but the levels were significantly higher than CA single-species biofilms.

Conclusions:

Probiotic lactobacilli may prevent ECC by inhibiting the growth and biofilm formation of C. albicans only under optimal conditions. It may, in fact, accelerate ECC progression by increasing acid production.

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