Enhancement of tissue damage by Candida albicans in cortisone or nitrogen mustard-treated mice

Mice were either rendered leukopenic by administration of nitrogen mustard or were treated with cortisone prior to intravenous challenge with Candida albicans. Leukopenic animals died five times faster following Candida challenge than untreated controls and also had significantly higher serum levels of the enzyme creatine phosphokinase. Similarly, when Candida infection occurred in cortisone-treated mice, mortality rates were markedly accelerated and serum levels of creatine phosphokinase and blood urea nitrogen were significantly higher than those found in untreated animals. Severe lesions and large numbers of Candida were observed in tissue sections of heart, kidney, and stomach from cortisone-treated animals. These data indicate that damage to host tissues is one manner by which Candida contribute to the morbidity of immunosuppressed animals.