Cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-soluble receptor (TNF-sR), and adhesion molecules, e.g. vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin, play an important role in the pathogenesis of bacterial sepsis. Experimental data on cytokine expression during candidaemia are controversial. In this study, plasma concentrations of cytokines and adhesion molecules were compared between patients with sepsis due to Candida albicans and bacterial sepsis. Plasma levels of TNF-alpha, TNF-sR, IL-6, VCAM-1 and E-selectin, were determined in 20 patients with sepsis due to C. albicans, in 20 patients with bacterial sepsis, and in 20 controls on days 1, 7 and 14. On day 1, elevated plasma levels of TNF-alpha, TNF-sR and IL-6 were detected in both sepsis groups compared to controls. On day 1, VCAM-1 levels were higher, and E-selectin levels were lower in patients with Candida sepsis than in patients with bacterial sepsis (p < 0.05). At any time, VCAM-1 levels were significantly greater in patients with Candida sepsis than in patients with bacterial sepsis (p < 0.05). Non-survivors, regardless of the etiology of sepsis, had higher blood levels of IL-6, TNF-sR and E-selectin than survivors. The cytokines, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and TNF-sR, and the adhesion molecules, VCAM-1 and E-selectin, are involved in sepsis due to C. albicans as in bacterial sepsis.