GROWTH-PATTERNS OF CANDIDA-ALBICANS IN RELATION TO RADICULAR DENTIN

Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen isolated from the oral cavity. The role of this organism as an endodontic pathogen is po orly understood.Objectives. The aim of this study was to observe the i nteraction of C. albicans with root canal walls and the growth pattern s of this microorganism in relation to radicular dentin. Study design. Fifteen root sections were infected with C. albicans grown in calf se rum and incubated for various periods. The sections were fixed in glut araldehyde, split into two halves, and evaluated by scanning electron microscopy.Results, Blastospores and hyphal structures were observed o n the root canal walls of all specimens. Filamentous hyphal form was d ominant in 5-day specimens. Most of the hyphae and blastospores showed penetration into dentinal tubules. The body of germinating mother cel ls and hyphae demonstrated collapsed cell walls as a result of vacuole formation. Conclusions. With this invasive affinity to dentinal struc tures, C. albicans may be considered a dentinophilic microorganism.