Scanning electron microscope observation of adherence of Candida albicans to cultured keratinocytes.

The role of antigen 6 in the adherence process of Candida albicans serotype A to cultured keratinocytes was examined with a scanning electron microscope. The number of adhered organisms was significantly lower for the antigen 6-deficient mutant strain than for the antigen 6-positive parent strain (P < 0.001). Fibril- or strand-like structures bridging the organisms and the keratinocytes were found to develop during the later stages of adherence.