Influence of incubation conditions on cell surface hydrophobicity of Candida species fungi

Cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) is considered to be one of several virulence factors of Candida yeast-like fungi. The aim of the study was a measurment of hydrophobic properties of Candida sp. depending on growth conditions. A total of 139 strains of Candida (80 - C. albicans and 59 - C. non-albicans) were examined. The method of salt aggregation test (SAT) was used. The strains were cultured on three different media, in two variants of incubation temperature and time. The incubation temperature and microbiological medium affected CSH of just C. albicans strains. The influence of incubation time on CSH of examined species of Candida was not occurred. There was a strong correlation between CSH and species of Candida demonstrated in the study Hydrophobic properties were more frequent and stronger among strains of C. non-albicans than C. albicans species. The results of the study indicates that CSH of Candida spp. is a dynamic feature. The ability to change surface properties may play a role in pathogenesis of candidosis.