Inhibition of adherence of Candida albicans by conventional and experimental antifungal drugs

Abstract
We tested the effects of antifungal drugs on adherence of Candida albicans in vitro. Significant reduction of adherence occurred after 2 h incubation with amphotericin B, nystatin, miconazole, econazole, ketoconazole, chlorohexidine and ICI 195,739. Significant inhibition of Candida adherence by 5-fluorocytosine and amorolfin required 18 h incubation. Combinations of amphotericin B with 5-fluorocytosine, miconazole, ICI 195,739 and amorolfin resulted in synergistic inhibition of adherence. Adherence is an important pathogenic mechanism in Candida infections and interference with this process may represent a major component of the mode of action of antifungal drugs.