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Effects of triamcinolone acetonide on experimental oral candidiasis in monkeys
Abstract:
Thirteen adult monkeys (Macaca irus) were infected with Candida albicans by inoculating the microorganisms under an acrylic plate covering the palatal mucosa. Six of the monkeys were treated with the steroid triamcinolone acetonide intramuscularly for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after inoculation. The palatal mucosa was studied clinically and histologically at weekly or biweekly intervals for up to 5 months after inoculation. The cellular immune response was studied using the direct leukocyte migration test. In the group of seven non-steriod-treated monkeys an acute atrophic candidiasis developed that healed spontaneously in 2-3 weeks. No tissue invasion by Candida was seen in tissue sections, but the inflammation was pronounced. Migration inhibition was significant up to 5 months after infection. In the group of six steroid-treated monkeys an acute pseudomembranous candidiasis was induced that showed retarded healing, tissue invasion by Candida, and enhanced yeast proliferation. Inflammation was only slight and the peripheral blood leukocytes were not inhibited in their migration by Candida antigen. The study has shown that systemic treatment with the steroid, triamcinolone acetonide, potentiate oral Candida infections, probably by suppressing both non-specific inflammatory responses and cellular immunity.
Insights
Systemic steroid triamcinolone acetonide treatment potentiates oral Candida albicans infections in monkeys. This occurs by suppressing inflammatory responses and cellular immunity, leading to more severe infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Mycology
- Oral Medicine
Background:
- Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause oral infections.
- The role of cellular immunity and inflammatory responses in controlling oral candidiasis is not fully understood.
- Corticosteroids are known to modulate immune responses and may affect the course of fungal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of systemic triamcinolone acetonide on experimental oral Candida albicans infection in Macaca irus monkeys.
- To evaluate the impact of steroid treatment on clinical presentation, fungal invasion, and cellular immune response in oral candidiasis.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen adult Macaca irus monkeys were inoculated with Candida albicans under palatal acrylic plates.
- Six monkeys received systemic triamcinolone acetonide treatment before and after inoculation.
- Clinical and histological examinations, along with direct leukocyte migration tests, were performed over 5 months.
Main Results:
- Non-steroid treated monkeys developed acute atrophic candidiasis with spontaneous healing and pronounced inflammation, showing significant leukocyte migration inhibition.
- Steroid-treated monkeys exhibited acute pseudomembranous candidiasis with retarded healing, Candida tissue invasion, and enhanced yeast proliferation.
- Inflammation was mild in steroid-treated monkeys, and their peripheral blood leukocytes showed no migration inhibition to Candida antigen.
Conclusions:
- Systemic triamcinolone acetonide potentiates oral Candida albicans infections.
- Steroid treatment likely suppresses non-specific inflammatory responses and cellular immunity, contributing to more severe candidiasis.
- This study highlights the importance of immune status in managing oral fungal infections.