Frequency and enzymatic activity (proteinase and phospholipase) of Candida albicans from edentulous patients, with and without denture stomatitis

Abstract

The so called erithematous stomatitis is frequently observed in denture wearers, being local factors, mainly related to the presence of yeasts, considered important for its development. Having these aspects in mind, we evaluated edentulous patients with and without denture stomatitis (DS), identifying the yeasts obtained from the palate, and determining the relative level of the proteinase and phospholipase exo-enzymes produced by C. albicans. The results suggested that C. albicans was the most frequent species observed, being more prevalent in patients presenting DS, isolated or in association with other yeasts, with high expression of proteinase.A Estomatite Protética (EP) é freqüentemente observada em pacientes portadores de prótese total, sendo a presença de fungos considerada um importante fator para o seu aparecimento. Baseado neste fato, avaliamos pacientes edêntulos com e sem estomatite protética, identificando os fungos presentes, e os níveis de proteinase e fosfolipase produzidos por Candida albicans. Os resultados mostraram que C. albicans foi a espécie mais freqüente, prevalecendo em pacientes com EP. Todas as cepas de C. albicans isoladas foram fortemente positivas para proteinase, diferentemente da atividade de fosfolipase.