Abstract:

Background and Aim: Tissue conditioners are used to manage irritation of denture bearing mucosa. These liners, however, promote adherence and colonization by Candida Albicans which can be prevented by incorporating antifungal agents into them. The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the stability and duration of antifungal effects of nystatin and fluconazole mixed with a tissue conditioner on colonization of Candida Albicans.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, antifungal test disks were prepared using tissue conditioner mixed with nystatin and fluconazole. Similar drug free tissue conditioner disks were prepared as controls. The disks were immersed and kept in artificial sterile saliva until used for susceptibility test. They were placed on the Sabouraud dextrose agar plates streaked with C. Albicans inoculum and using the agar diffusion test, colonization inhibitory effects were evaluated in one, two, three and 5 day intervals based on saliva immersion period. The mean inhibitory zone around disks at different time intervals were analyzed with SPSS15 software using ANOVA and Tukey’s statistical tests for multiple and pairwise comparisons respectively.

Results: The average diameter of inhibitory zone around nystatin and fluconazole disks after 24hour of immersion in saliva were 11.2 and 8.6 mm respectively. The difference in the mean zone of inhibition was statistically significant after 24 hours (p=0.0001) and 48 hours (p=0.013). This difference was not statistically significant after 72hours or 5 day interval. (P>0.05)

Conclusion:  The stability of nystatin and fluconazole mixed with a tissue conditioner is not adequate and antifungal effects are seen only for 72 hours while in contact with saliva. Optimum antifungal activity could be expected in the first 24 hours. Nystatin exhibits higher inhibitory effects compared to fluconazole.