Relationship between cell surface composition of Candida albicans and adherence to acrylic after growth on different carbon sources

Abstract

The adherence of Candida albicans to acrylic was measured in vitro after growth of the yeast to stationary phase in defined medium containing glucose, sucrose, galactose, fructose, or maltose as the carbon source. In each case, yeast adherence was proportional to the concentration of sugar in the growth medium, but equimolar concentrations of different sugars promoted adherence to different extents. In vitro adherence was further increased by the addition of divalent cations to assay mixtures but was inhibited when saliva-treated acrylic strips were used or when yeasts were suspended in mixed saliva during the assay. The rate of spheroplast formation of yeasts grown in media containing a 500 mM concentration of the different sugars correlated well with the relative adherence of the cells to acrylic. Galactose-grown yeasts were most resistant to spheroplast formation with Zymolyase-5000 and most adherent to acrylic, whereas fructose-grown organisms were least resistant to spheroplast formation and least adherent to acrylic. These results indicate that when grown to stationary phase in media containing high concentrations of certain sugars, C. albicans undergoes a change in cell surface composition which facilitates its adherence to acrylic surfaces. Electron microscopy of yeasts harvested from such media revealed the presence of an additional surface layer which may be responsible for this enhanced adherence.

Adherence of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells after growth on different carbon sources

“…Adherence to acrylic in vitro was significantly increased after growth of the yeast to stationary phase in defined media containing high concentrations of various sugars, notably galactose, as the carbon source. This enhanced adherence appeared to be due to the production of an additional, fibrillar, surface layer which also conferred increased resistance to spheroplast formation with Zymolyase-5000 [7]. We now report that adherence of C. albicans to buccal epithelial cells in vitro is similarly promoted by the production of this surface layer.…”

“…We have previously reported that growth to stationary phase in defined media containing high concentrations of various sugars promotes the adherence of C. albicans GDH 2346 to denture acrylic [6,7]. Adherence was enhanced to varying extents according to the carbon source used.…”

“…The yeasts were grown in yeast nitrogen base medium (Difco) containing 50 mM glucose, or 500 mM glucose, sucrose, maltose, galatose or fructose, as described previously [7]. The organisms grew at similar rates, and exclusively in the budding yeast phase, in all these media.…”

“…In a recent study relating to the role of C. albicans in denture stomatitis, we measured adherence of the yeast to acrylic surfaces [6,7]. Adherence to acrylic in vitro was significantly increased after growth of the yeast to stationary phase in defined media containing high concentrations of various sugars, notably galactose, as the carbon source.…”

Comparison of adherence of Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis to silicone catheters in vitro and in vivo

“…For instance, C. parapsilosis has been shown to possess selective growth advantages in hyperalimentation solutions rich in sugars [8], and this ®nding may help to explain the association of outbreaks of infection by this organism and parenteral nutrition [14,15]. One in vitro study [16] indicated that the adherence of C. albicans to acrylic surfaces was enhanced by adding various sugars to the growth media when the yeast was in stationary phase [16]. McCourtie et al demonstrated an interstrain variability among C. albicans strains in their ability to modify their surface composition in response to certain sugars [17].…”