Effects of octenidine and pirtenidine on adhesion of Candida species to human buccal epithelial cells in vitro.

Adherence of Candida spp. to buccal epithelial cells in vitro was significantly reduced after both short- and long-term periods of yeast exposure to sub-inhibitory concentrations of octenidine and pirtenidine. In addition, the pretreatment of either Candida or the epithelial cells or both with the drugs reduced adherence, this being greatest when both types of cells were pretreated. No difference in adherence to buccal epithelial cells was observed between yeast from stationary or exponential phases and the drugs were effective in reducing the adherence of cells from either growth phase. The drugs also inhibited germ-tube formation, which might contribute to their effects on adherence as far as C. albicans is concerned.