The positive impact of Streptococcus mutans on the growth of Candida albicans within mixed-species biofilms and implications to dental health.

INTRODUCTION

Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans co-exist in biofilms in the oral cavity. In this study, the impact of S. mutans on the growth of C. albicans within a mixed-species biofilm was examined.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Single species C. albicans biofilms and mixed species biofilms containing C. albicans and S. mutans at 1:3 and 1:10 ratios were constructed in 6-well microtiter plates. After 24 hours of incubation, the density of resuspended biofilm cells was determined as CFU/ml and used to compare the growth of C. albicans in single species and mixed species biofilms.

RESULTS

The CFU/ml of C. albicans in mixed-species biofilms was found to be higher than that in single-species biofilms.

CONCLUSION

S. mutans promotes the growth of C. albicans in a co-inhabited biofilm.