Effect of Artificial Milk Formula on Germination and Biofilm Formation of Candida Albicans

Abstract

Background: Bottle fed infants are prone to increased incidence of candidal colonization and infection. Objectives: The current study aimed at testing the effect of an artificial milk formula used in bottle feeding on Candida albicans germination and biofilm formation. Methodology: C. albicans ATCC 10231 was submitted for germination and biofilm formation tests under the effect of different concentrations of one of the common artificial milk formulas available in the market (AMF-A) which is both cow’s milk and soy based.Germination was tested under 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% (vol/vol) of AMF-A in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), while concentrations in biofilm tests were 1%, 5%, 10%, 15% (vol/vol) of AMF-A in yeast nitrogen base (YNB) broth. Biofilms were grown on silicone discs and quantified by crystal violet staining with determination of the optical densities (ODs) and colony forming units (CFUs) counting. The structure of the biofilms was studied by light microscopic examination after crystal violet staining. Results: All tested concentrations of AMF induced germination of the tested strain, as the germination percentages after 4 hours were 40%, 53% and 60% for AMF 0.25%, 0.5% and 1%, respectively. Both ODs and CFUs revealed that the adding of AMF to YNB has synergistic effect on biofilm formation. Microscopically, most of the formed biofilms were of low density but the density was increasing with increasing incubation time. Conclusion: The tested AMF enhanced germination and biofilm formation of C. albicans, and consequently its virulence, and although the biofilms were weak, they still can provide sources for continuous oral candidal colonization in the bottle fed infants.