Our study comprised 56 Candida albicans strains isolated from women with chronic Candida vaginitis. Patients were treated with many antifungal agents without beneficial effects. Candida adherence to epithelial cells is generally accepted as an important step in the pathogenesis of an infection. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of cyclosporin A (CsA) on the in vitro adherence of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells. The adherence test was performed in three different modifications: I - incubation of epithelial cells with Candida albicans and CsA, II - pre-incubation of epithelial cells with CsA and the addition of Candida albicans cells, III - pre-incubation of Candida albicans cells with CsA and addition of epithelial cells. CsA inhibited significantly the adherence of Candida albicans cells to buccal epithelial cells in comparison with control groups. Inhibition of adherence may be a factor of decreased Candida albicans virulence under the influence of CsA. The in vitro adherence test is a useful model that reveals interactions between host cells and various strains of the same fungal species.

Keywords: Candida albicans, adherence, cyclosporin A