Thrush relief

A Liverpool University research team has developed a product that has the potential to bring relief to the estimated 3.5 million UK sufferers of oral thrush. For its efforts, the team recently won the £25,000 Armourers and Brasiers Venture Prize.

According to the most recent adult dental survey, 28 per cent of the UK population wear dentures and a quarter of these are likely to develop denture stomatitis or fungal-induced stomatitis (mainly Candida albicans), commonly known as oral thrush.

To address the issue, the Liverpool team of scientists, led by Dr Rachel Williams and Dr Luke Dawson, developed a nanoparticle silica coating that inhibits the adhesion and proliferation of cells and micro-organisms. Laboratory tests have shown that their nanoparticulate silica coating can inhibit the build-up of virulent oral thrush (Candida albicans).

Using Proof of Concept (POC) funds awarded by the university technology transfer company, Ulive, the team has developed a transparent solution containing the nanoparticles, which adhere to the denture once placed in it. The solution could be used by denture wearers as part of their normal cleaning procedure.