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A Soluble Tetrazolium-Based Reduction Assay to Evaluate the Effect of Antibodies on Candida tropicalis Biofilms
Published on: September 16, 2022
Saccharomyces as a vaccine against systemic candidiasis
Min Liu1, Karl V Clemons, Maria E Johansen
1California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA 95128, USA.
Immunological Investigations
|June 13, 2012
Summary
Heat-killed Saccharomyces (HKY) vaccination protects mice against Candida albicans infections. The efficacy of HKY is dependent on dosage and administration regimen, warranting further investigation into cross-reactive fungal antigens.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Heat-killed Saccharomyces (HKY) has demonstrated protective effects against fungal infections like aspergillosis and coccidioidomycosis.
- The protective mechanism of HKY may involve cross-reactive antigens present in fungal cell walls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of HKY as a vaccine against systemic candidiasis caused by Candida albicans.
- To determine if HKY-induced protection against Candida albicans is dose- and regimen-dependent.
Main Methods:
- Male CD-1 mice were administered varying regimens of HKY subcutaneously.
- Mice were subsequently challenged intravenously with Candida albicans.
- Survival rates and fungal burden in kidneys were assessed and compared to control groups.
Main Results:
- Subcutaneous administration of HKY (6 × 10^7 cells) multiple times (3, 4, or 6) significantly prolonged survival and reduced kidney fungal load in mice challenged with Candida albicans (P < 0.05).
- A higher dose of HKY (1.2 × 10^8 cells) given four times also improved survival (P = 0.02) but exhibited dose-limiting toxicity.
- Oral administration or subcutaneous administration with alum adjuvant did not enhance survival rates.
Conclusions:
- Heat-killed Saccharomyces (HKY) provides dose- and regimen-dependent protection against systemic candidiasis in mice.
- Further research, including epitope mapping, is needed to elucidate the cross-reactive antigens responsible for HKY-induced protection against diverse fungal species.
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