Extracellular hydrolytic enzyme activities and biofilm formation in Candida species isolated from people living with human immunodeficiency virus with oropharyngeal candidiasis at HIV/AIDS clinics in Uganda.

Background: Commensal oral Candida species can become opportunistic and transition to pathogenic causes of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in individuals with impaired immunity through ecological cues and the expression of extracellular hydrolytic enzyme activities and biofilm formation.

Objective: We evaluated phospholipase, proteinase, hemolysin, esterase, and coagulase enzymatic activities and biofilm formation in Candida species isolated from people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) with OPC.

Methods: Thirty-five Candida isolates from PLHIV with OPC were retrieved from a sample repository and evaluated for phospholipase activity using the egg yolk agar method, proteinase activity using the bovine serum albumin agar method, hemolysin activity using the blood agar plate method, esterase activity using the Tween 80 opacity test medium method, coagulase activity using the classical tube method, and biofilm formation using the microtiter plate assay method in vitro.

Distribution and antifungal susceptibility profile of oropharyngeal species isolated from people living with HIV in the era of universal test and treat policy in Uganda.

Background: Despite the increased frequency of oropharyngeal candidiasis among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), its management is no longer effective due to empirical treatment and emergence of antifungal resistance (AFR). This study sought to investigate the prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis and assess the antifungal susceptibility profile of oropharyngeal species isolated from people living with human immunodeficiency virus. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between oropharyngeal candidiasis and CD4 T cell as well as viral load counts.

Evaluation of the Virulence Attributes of Oropharyngeal Species Isolated from People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus with Oropharyngeal Candidiasis on Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: Oropharyngeal species are part commensal microflora in the the oral cavity of health individuals. Commensal species can become opportunist and transition to pathogenic causes of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in individuals with impaired immunity through ecological cues and expression of virulence factors. Limited studies have evaluated virulence attributes of oropharyngeal species among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) with OPC on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda.

Essential Oils from Ugandan Medicinal Plants: Cytotoxicity and Effects on IL-1-Induced Proinflammatory Mediators by Human Gingival Fibroblasts.

The study investigated cytotoxicity of essential oils from four medicinal plants (, , , and ) on human gingival fibroblasts and their effects on proinflammatory mediators' secretion. Cytotoxicity of essential oils was investigated using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay. Effects of essential oils at subcytotoxicity concentrations on interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-8, and prostaglandin E (PGE) secretions by gingival fibroblasts treated with IL-1 (300 pg/mL) were evaluated by ELISA and EIA.

Essential Oils from Ugandan Aromatic Medicinal Plants: Chemical Composition and Growth Inhibitory Effects on Oral Pathogens.

The study assessed the growth inhibitory effects of essential oils extracted from ten Ugandan medicinal plants (Bidens pilosa, Helichrysum odoratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina, Hoslundia opposita, Ocimum gratissimum, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon nardus, Teclea nobilis, Zanthoxylum chalybeum, and Lantana trifolia) used traditionally in the management of oral diseases against oral pathogens. Chemical compositions of the oils were explored by GC-MS. Inhibitory effects of the oils were assessed on periodontopathic Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and cariogenic Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus using broth dilution methods at concentrations of 1%, 0.

Antibacterial activities of extracts from Ugandan medicinal plants used for oral care.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Medicinal plants are widely used for treatment of oral/dental diseases in Uganda.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate antibacterial activities of 16 commonly used medicinal plants on microorganisms associated with periodontal diseases (PD) and dental caries (DC).

Materials And Methods: Pulp juice and solvent extracts (hexane, methanol and water) from the plants were tested against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia associated with PD and Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus acidophilus associated with DC.