FIG. 2.

Coaggregation of C. albicans WT or ΔALS3 with S. gordonii. (A to F) Fluorescently (FITC) labeled S. gordonii DL1 cells were incubated with C. albicans hypha-forming cells for 1 h. Coaggregated microorganisms were visualized by phase-contrast microscopy (A, C, and E) or by fluorescence microscopy (B, D, and F). Scale bars, 25 μm. Images A to F are representative of samples of S. gordonii DL1 and C. albicans WT exhibiting population heterogeneity with respect to the ability of hyphae to bind bacteria. (G) Percentages of total C. albicans hyphae with attached S. gordonii DL1 determined on the basis of the following binding levels (see Materials and Methods): 2+, hyphae completely surrounded by streptococci (B); 1+, hyphae with areas where streptococcal cells are attached (D); 0, little or no bacterial binding (F). The data are means ± SD from duplicate experiments.