The effect of dietary carbohydrates on the in-vitro adhesion of Candida albicans to epithelial cells.

The effects of dietary carbohydrates on the adherence of Candida albicans to HeLa epithelial monolayers and buccal epithelial cells were compared by two assay systems. Candida preincubated in 0.5M, glucose, sucrose, galactose, xylitol or maltose medium produced a significant enhancement in adhesion to both types of epithelial cells. Maltose was the most effective sugar and glucose the least effective in promoting adhesion, while lactose had no significant effect. A clinical isolate of C. albicans demonstrated a greater overall enhancement in adhesion from preincubation with glucose, sucrose and maltose, when compared with a reference laboratory strain of Candida. These results imply that exogenous or endogenous carbon sources may affect the oral and vaginal carriage of C. albicans, by modifying their adhesive properties.