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Candida albicans adherence in newborn infants

F Cox

    Journal of Medical and Veterinary Mycology : Bi-Monthly Publication of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology
    |April 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Candida albicans adherence to infant buccal cells differs by gestational age. Premature infants show higher adherence than full-term infants in the first five days of life, suggesting developmental factors influence this interaction.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Neonatal Development
    • Immunology

    Background:

    • Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
    • Buccal epithelial cell adherence is an initial step in Candida infections.
    • Infant oral environments differ significantly based on gestational age.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To compare Candida albicans adherence to buccal epithelial cells from premature and full-term infants.
    • To investigate the impact of infant age on Candida adherence.
    • To explore potential factors contributing to observed differences in adherence.

    Main Methods:

    • Collection of buccal epithelial cells from premature and full-term infants.
    • In vitro incubation of cells with Candida albicans.
    • Quantification of Candida adherence to epithelial cells.

    Main Results:

    • Candida albicans adherence was significantly lower in full-term infants compared to premature infants and school-age children during the first 5 days of life.
    • Adherence in premature infants at birth was more than double that of term infants and remained stable during the first week.
    • Adherence in full-term infants increased after 5 days of age.

    Conclusions:

    • Gestational age significantly influences Candida albicans adherence to buccal epithelial cells in newborns.
    • Developmental, salivary, receptor site, or unknown factors may explain the differences in adherence between premature and term infants.
    • Early-life adherence patterns may have implications for susceptibility to oral candidiasis in neonates.

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