ABSTRACT
Adherence of microorganisms to living or inanimate surfaces is initiated once these two elements come in close proximity to each other. The microorganism, the surface involved, and the environmental conditions are likely to affect the adherence process. There have been many studies to determine the relative importance of these variables. This chapter outlines various parameters affecting adhesion of Candida on epithelial cells, plastic surfaces, and denture base resin materials. It discusses the relationship to adherence of various Candida species and strains within a species as well as germ-tube formation. Since adherence of Candida to epithelial cells involves the outer cell envelopes of both partners any factors influencing them will affect the adhesion process. Medium composition and temperature of growth are known to affect cell morphology of dimorphic fungi including Candida albicans and, therefore, the cell wall composition of the two forms.
