Adherence of <i>Candida albicans</i> Is Inhibited by Yeast Mannan

The adherence of Candida albicans strain NIH A207 to plastic plates was inhibited by the addition of mannan, and plates coated with mannan also inhibited the adherence of C. albicans strains TIMM1768, TIMM2640, and JCM2076. Mannan coated the plastic plates under neutral and acidic conditions, but not under alkaline conditions. These results indicate that C. albicans cannot attach to mannan. Thus mannan-coated medical equipment might be useful to prevent C. albicans adherence.