Modified adherence of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells in vitro following treatment with cationic, non-antibiotic antimicrobial agents

The effects of the cationic, non-antibiotic antimicrobial agents chlorhexidine gluconate, dequalinium chloride, cetrimide and cetylpyridinium chloride on the adherence of Candida albicans blastospores (MEN and oral clinical isolates, exponential and stationary growth phases) to human buccal epithelial cells in vitro were examined using light microscopy. All agents expressed significant anti-adherence activities at concentrations both greater and less than the minimum inhibitory concentration. In all cases, the anti-adherence effects were observed following treatment (30 min, 37°C) of either buccal epithelial cells or blastospores. In addition, the majority of treatments significantly increased the number of buccal epithelial cells from from adherent C. albicans. These observations may be useful in the prophylaxis of oral candidosis in prone individuals.