Impact of Brief Exposure to Lysozyme and Lactoferrin on Pathogenic Attributes of Oral Candida

Abstract

Introduction and aimsAdhesion to buccal epithelial cells (BEC) and denture acrylic surfaces (DAS), germ tube (GT) formation, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and hemolysin production are attributes associated with pathogenicity of Candida. Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis are allied in causing oral candidosis. Lysozyme and lactoferrin exerts antimicrobial activity on a range of oral microorganisms including Candida. There is no information on the impact of brief exposure to lysozyme and lactoferrin on adhesion related attributes and hemolysin production of aforementioned oral Candida isolates. Thus, we investigated the impact of lysozyme and lactoferrin on adhesion to BEC and DAS, GT formation, CSH and hemolysin production of these isolates. MethodsAfter exposure to lysozyme and lactoferrin for 1h, the susceptibility to lysozyme and lactoferrin of 20 isolates each of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis isolates were determined following a 48h period of incubation. Candida cell suspensions, obtained from colony forming units after this period, were assessed for adhesion to BEC and DAS, GT formation, CSH, and hemolysin production using in-vitro assays. ResultsExposure to lysozyme and lactoferrin significantly suppressed the ability of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis isolates to adhere to BEC, DAS, GT formation, CSH and hemolysin production (p <0.01 for all virulent attributes tested). ConclusionThese data provide a tantalizing glimpse that exposure to either lysozyme and lactoferrin even for a brief period would induce a sustainable antifungal effect by suppressing adhesion related attributes and hemolysin production of these oral Candida species in vitro. Clinical relevanceResistance to conventional antifungal agents has been reported in clinical isolates of Candida. The presence of such resistance indicates the need for possible alternative therapies to facilitate the management of oral candidosis. The current study thus provides a glimpse that further research on pharmacodynamics of lysozyme and lactoferrin on candidal pathogenic attributes should be fostered, with the vision of developing novel topical antifungal drugs.