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Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Th17 Inflammation Model of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: February 18, 2015
Pathogenicity of Candida viswanathii for normal and cortisone-treated mice
H S Randhawa1, S K Mishra1, V N Damodaran2
1Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, 110007 Delhi, India.
Abstract:
The pathogenicity of Candida viswanathii, PCI 501/1 (CBS 4024), originally isolated from CSF of a fatal case of meningitis in India, is reported. Also, included is a global overview of the occurrence of C. viswanathii in clinical and environmental sources. The investigation was done in normal and cortisone-treated albino mice challenged intravenously with variable doses of 1×10(6), 4×10(6) and 16×10(6) actively growing yeast cells of the fungus. The animals were kept under observation up to 3 weeks when they were sacrificed for a mycological and histopathologic study. As apparent from the data on morbidity and mortality, the species exhibited low virulence for normal mice, whereas it caused significantly higher mortality (P<0.0008) and morbidity (macroscopic lesions) (P<0.0004) in cortisone group. Likewise, there was overall higher recovery of C. viswanathii in culture from the cortisone-treated than in the normal group of mice. These observations are indicative of C. viswanathii being an opportunistic pathogen. It is recognized that a definitive identification of C. viswanathii requires mycological expertise for comprehensive phenotypic characterization or the application of expensive techniques such as Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and molecular techniques, facilities for which are generally lacking in a vast majority of laboratory diagnostic centers especially in developing countries. Consequently, the prevalence of C. viswanathii in clinical and environmental samples is currently likely to be underestimated.
Insights
Candida viswanathii shows low virulence in healthy mice but is an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals. Its prevalence may be underestimated due to identification challenges.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathogen Discovery
Background:
- Candida viswanathii, initially isolated from a fatal meningitis case, has an unclear global prevalence.
- Accurate identification of C. viswanathii is challenging, requiring specialized techniques often unavailable in diagnostic labs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathogenicity of Candida viswanathii in a murine model.
- To provide a global overview of C. viswanathii occurrence in clinical and environmental settings.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous inoculation of varying doses of C. viswanathii into normal and cortisone-treated mice.
- Observation for up to 3 weeks, followed by mycological and histopathological analysis.
- Review of existing literature for global occurrence data.
Main Results:
- C. viswanathii exhibited low virulence in normal mice.
- Significantly higher mortality and morbidity were observed in cortisone-treated mice, indicating opportunistic behavior.
- Higher recovery rates of C. viswanathii from cortisone-treated mice compared to normal mice.
Conclusions:
- Candida viswanathii is an opportunistic pathogen, particularly in immunocompromised hosts.
- The difficulty in identifying C. viswanathii likely leads to underestimation of its prevalence.
- Further research and improved diagnostic methods are needed to accurately assess the public health impact of C. viswanathii.
