Research Article published by Elsevier Science Ltd
Oral candidal infections are often persistent and intractable and thus the aim of this study was to develop a polymeric sustained
release device to improve the topical treatment of these infections. A self curing system based on poly(ethyl methacrylate) and
tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (PEM/THFM) was used with chlorhexidine diacetate (CX) added at levels between 0 and 12% w/w.
Water uptake by the device was assessed gravimetrically and CX release measured by UV spectrometry. Anti candidal activity was
established by culturing azole sensitive and resistant strains of Candida albicans in the presence of the polymeric delivery device with
and without CX. Candidal growth was measured by turbidimetry or surviving colony-forming unit (CFU) formation. There was an
initial high release of CX over 24 h followed by a slow di!usion up to 7 days. CX inhibited candidal growth and survival markedly
in vitro, with the test samples showing less than 0.5 10 CFU/ml compared to controls (3}4 10 CFU/ml). These results indicate
the potential of a chlorhexidine containing PEM/THFM polymeric system in the treatment of persistent candidal infections. 2001
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