Systemic fluconazole therapy and in vitro adhesion of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells.

The adhesion of Candida albicans to buccal epithelial cells (BEC) from four healthy dentate men was studied in vitro 1 wk before, during and after a course of systemic fluconazole (50 mg once daily for 1 wk). After 1 wk of fluconazole intake candidal adhesion to BEC was significantly reduced and this reduction persisted for a week following completion of therapy. Fluconazole, therefore, in addition to being an effective antifungal agent may also have a sustained action on reducing adherence of candidal species to the oral mucosa.