EFFECTS OF TETRACYCLINE HYDROCHLORIDE AND CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE ON CANDIDA-ALBICANS - AN IN-VITRO STUDY

This study examined the effects of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCN) an d chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) on the growth and viability of Candida albicans. Subcultures of Candida albicans on Sabouraud's agar, were d ivided into 5 treatment groups: group 1, untreated control; group 2, 0 .12% CHX; group 3, 3.0 mg/ml TCN adjusted to pH 4.5; groups 4 and 5, s odium azide free Tris buffer adjusted to pH 4.5 and pH 7.4, respective ly. All groups were incubated for 10 days, and sampled and subcultured daily to determine the viability of each group. Additional samples fr om group 2 (day 4), group 4 (day 7) and all groups at day IO were sele cted for SEM and TEM examination. Visual, SEM and TEM results showed t hat for groups 1, 3, 4, and 5 there was a heavy and constant uniform g rowth of Candida albicans throughout the period of the study. However, group 2 (CHX), showed decreasing viability and attachment from day 3 to day 10, with SEM and TEM revealing decreased blastospores and profo und changes in the ultrastructural morphology, indicating inhibition o f normal cell growth and replication. These results show that TCN even when used at high concentrations, in vitro, will allow uninhibited gr owth of Candida albicans whereas CHX inhibits cell growth and replicat ion.