Adhesion of Candida species to epithelial surfaces

Successful colonization and infection of host tissues by the pathogenic Candida species depend upon the ability of these organisms to adhere to mucosal surfaces. The different species vary in their ability to adhere, and there is a clear correlation between adhesion and virulence. The mechanism of adhesion of the most pathogenic species, Candida albicans, to epithelial cells has been studied in detail and is thought to involve lectin-like interactions between specific binding molecules (adhesins) on the yeast surface and complementary receptor molecules on the epithelial cell surface. Current information suggests that the protein portion of mannoprotein located in fibrils on the yeast surface serves as the adhesin and interacts with glycoside receptors on epithelial cells. The evidence for this proposed mechanism is critically discussed.