[Study of various aspects of the pathogenesis of Candida albicans infections]

Nutritional competition between Candida albicans and 6 bacteria frequently found in the gastro-intestinal tract, together with the influence of the bacterial supernatant on yeast growth were studied. Our results showed that the amount of available carbohydrates in vitro was an important growth factor. Three of the 6 carbohydrates enhanced growth. The hypothesis of an antifungal substance produced by bacteria cannot be excluded though a 10% concentration of bacterial supernatant had no inhibitory effect on fungal growth and germination. In the presence of bacteria, the percentage of germ tube formation was markedly reduced in horse serum after 4 h incubation at 37 degrees C.