To discuss the difference of cariogenicity of Candida albicans from children with early childhood caries(ECC) and without caries.

Twenty-six strains isolated from children with early childhood caries as the ECC group and 24 strains from children with caries free(CF) as the CF group, were inoculated into Sabouraud liquid medium with different initial pH value (ranging from 4.0 to 7.0 at 0.5 intervals). After cultured at 37℃ for 48 h, the terminal pH value of medium was detected by pH meter to evaluate the acidogenicity, and the A₅₄₀ was measured by spectrophotometer to assess the aciduricity. Moreover, all the strains were inoculated into the surface of hydroxyapatite(HA) plate, and colony formation unit was used to evaluate the adhesion ability. The ability of acidogenicity, aciduricity and adhesion of Candida albicans in ECC group and CF group were compared.

There were no statistically significant difference of the acidogenicity in the changes of pH value and A₅₄₀ value between ECC and CF group at initial pH value between 4.5-7.0(P>0.05), while the change of pH and A₅₄₀ values of the acidogenicity was significantly higher in ECC group than that of CF group at initial pH value at 4. 0 (P<0.05). The difference of adhesion ability between two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).

The difference of Candida albicans from children with early childhood caries and those without caries of cariogenicity; strains of Candida albicans with stronger aciduricity may play an important role in the promoting the process of early childhood caries.