Efeito do cinamaldeído sobre microrganismos isolados de disjuntores palatinos em pacientes com fissura labiopalatinas

Abstract

Introduction: This study incorporates the hypothesis that the presence of cleft lip and palate (CLP) is an important factor for greater susceptibility to biofilm formation, especially when palatal expansion devices are used in orthodontic protocols, and that cinnamaldehyde is a compound with activity against the main microorganisms isolated from these devices. Objectives: To determine the microbial profile of biofilms formed on fixed expansion devices and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of cinnamaldehyde against microorganisms present in these devices. Methodology: This is a clinical-laboratory study, with a probabilistic sample to identify microorganisms present in the biofilm formed on the expansion devices, through the cultivation of samples in specific culture media and mass spectrometry (Maldi-TOF). Colony forming units (CFUs) were counted and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cinnamaldehyde were determined for isolated microorganisms. Seventeen patients participated in the collection, totaling 31 biofilm samples collected from screw regions (17 samples) and acrylic resin (14 samples) of the devices. Results: An average count of 1.18x10³ CFU/mL of Candida spp. and 5.63x10⁶ CFU/mL of total microorganisms was observed in the screw region, and 1.17x10³ CFU/mL of Candida spp. and 5.44x10⁶ CFU/mL of total microorganisms in the acrylic resin. There was a higher frequency of C. tropicalis (34.72%), C. albicans (22.22%) and C. krusei (19.44%), confirmed by the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique. Cinnamaldehyde showed strong antimicrobial activity, with MIC ranging from 1.95 to 125 μg/mL, while chlorhexidine showed MIC of 0.18 to 96 μg/mL. Conclusion: Palatal expanders used in orthodontic protocols in patients with cleft lip and palate represent niches for the retention of microorganisms, including Candida species associated with oral infections. These microorganisms are sensitive to cinnamaldehyde at low concentrations.