# Candida-Associated Denture Stomatitis: A Novel Preventative Approach in an Experimental Aging Rat Model of Oral Infection

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2020 · $193,125

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The overall goal of this proposal is to identify a novel preventative approach targeting an oral
condition prevalent in the edentulous population. Denture stomatitis caused by the oral fungal
pathogen Candida albicans, is a common oral condition prevalent in up to 70% of denture wearers
causing severe pain impairing the ability to eat and speak. This debilitating disease tends to be
persistent and recurrent as a consequence of the ability of C. albicans to adhere and form biofilms on
denture surfaces and associated oral tissue. Despite its prevalence, there are currently no strategies
available for the prevention of denture stomatitis. Natural antimicrobial peptides have attracted
significant attention due to their broad-spectrum activity and lack of toxicity. Histatin-5 (Hst-5) is
particularly attractive as it is potent in killing C. albicans. To that end, we recently designed a
bioadhesive hydrogel delivery system specifically for oral topical application and using Hst-5 as a
blueprint, we also engineered a novel variant. Our preliminary investigations demonstrated the ability
of the peptide variant in preventing C. albicans adherence and biofilm formation on denture acrylic
material in vitro. Importantly, by taking advantage of new technological advances in dentistry
available to us, we digitally engineered and fabricated a universal intraoral acrylic device for rats. The
model was specifically designed to study Candida biofilm formation on installed oral devices, and
ensuing tissue infection and inflammation, mimicking clinical denture stomatitis in humans. In this
proposal, we aim to demonstrate the clinical utility of the novel formulation against denture
stomatitis in an aging rat model. We expect the fulfillment of the aims of this proposal to identify a
feasible approach for the prevention of biofilm-associated oral infections, and specifically denture
stomatitis, which continues to be a public health problem particularly in the pre-disposed edentulous
elderly population.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9875454
- **Project number:** 5R21DE028693-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** MARY ANN Y JABRA-RIZK
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $193,125
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9875454

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9875454, Candida-Associated Denture Stomatitis: A Novel Preventative Approach in an Experimental Aging Rat Model of Oral Infection (5R21DE028693-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9875454. Licensed CC0.

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