An in vitro evaluation of antifungal activity of bioaggregate.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the antifungal effect of bioaggregate (BA) against Candida albicans by using the direct contact method. STUDY DESIGN BA was tested freshly mixed and after 24-hour set on C. albicans. The tested BA was incubated with C. albicans in plastic tissue clusters for 1 hour, 24 hours, and 3 and 5 days. Aliquots of 0.1 mL were taken from each well at the end of the incubation periods and transfered to tubes containing 5 mL fresh Sabouraud broth. All tubes were vortexed and then incubated at 37°C and observed for the subsequent 5 days. Growth of the fungi was observed daily by the presence of turbidity in the tubes. The results were statistically analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier test. RESULTS The freshly mixed and set BA had no antifungal effect at 1 and 24 hours of contact. Both mixes demonstrated complete fungicidal activity after 24 hours' contact. Statistical analysis showed a highly significant difference between the negative and positive control groups (P < .001) and a significant difference between the freshly mixed and 24-hour set BA groups (P < .001) at 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS BA (freshly mixed and 24-hour set) was effective against C. albicans after 24 hours.