[Pathomorphological estimation of models of mouse Candida infection induced by intravenous or intracerebral contamination]
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Abstract:
Candida infection caused by intravenous or intracerebral contamination with a clinical strain of C. albicans 1755 was studied comparatively on 230 albino mice. The contamination doses ranged from 10(6) to 4 . 10(7) CFU/mouse. The developing infection could be characterized as Candida encephalomeningitis complicated by generalized candidiasis. Both the contamination routes mainly led to affections of the brain, kidneys and heart. The same distribution pattern of the pathogen was observed when the culture killed by heating was administered. The intracerebral route had advantages in chemotherapeutic studies since it induced less severe and more prolonged infection. Acute purulent inflammation of the brain and kidneys developing immediately after the contamination by days 5 to 6 was replaced by a granulomatous reaction and fibroplastic processes. Decreased acute inflammation along with changes in the nature of the pathogen vegetation and morphotinctorial properties in the affected organs can be used as a criterion of the antimycotic agent efficacy. A system for estimating pathomorphological changes in the tissues and the pathogen state is described and its use is illustrated with application of amphotericin B, mycoheptin and 5-phthorcytosine.
Insights
This study investigated Candida albicans infections in mice, revealing that intracerebral contamination leads to prolonged infections beneficial for antifungal drug testing. Pathological changes in tissues indicate treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Candida albicans is a significant opportunistic fungal pathogen.
- Understanding infection dynamics is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Animal models are essential for studying fungal pathogenesis and evaluating antimycotic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively study Candida infection using intravenous and intracerebral inoculation routes in mice.
- To characterize the resulting Candida encephalomeningitis and generalized candidiasis.
- To establish criteria for evaluating antimycotic agent efficacy based on pathomorphological changes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 230 albino mice, contaminated with a clinical strain of Candida albicans (1755) at doses from 10(6) to 4x10(7) CFU/mouse.
- Administered both live and heat-killed Candida cultures via intravenous and intracerebral routes.
- Monitored infection development, pathogen distribution, and tissue responses, including acute inflammation, granulomatous reactions, and fibroplastic processes.
Main Results:
- Both inoculation routes primarily affected the brain, kidneys, and heart.
- Intracerebral inoculation resulted in less severe but more prolonged infections, advantageous for chemotherapeutic studies.
- Pathological changes evolved from acute inflammation to granulomatous and fibroplastic responses.
- Heat-killed Candida cultures showed similar distribution patterns, indicating the utility of non-viable preparations.
Conclusions:
- The intracerebral route offers a valuable model for studying Candida infections and testing antifungal therapies.
- Changes in acute inflammation, pathogen morphology, and tissue reactions serve as reliable indicators of antimycotic efficacy.
- The described system for estimating pathomorphological changes aids in assessing treatment effectiveness, as demonstrated with amphotericin B, mycoheptin, and 5-fluorocytosine.
