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[Pathogenicity of various species of Candida in an experimental murine system]
Abstract:
The systemic infection induced by Candida albicans, Candida krusei and Candida viswanathii was studied in an experimental murine system. Candida albicans is able to kill outbred CD1 mice within a few days and at a very low concentration; C. krusei is not pathogenic not even when inoculated at a higher concentration; C. viswanathii is able to kill animals only a a higher concentration. The different resistances do not seem to be under genic control, in as much as the different strains of mice used (hybrid CD2F1 and B6C3HF1, inbred Balb/c) show the same degree of resistance as the CD1 mice to the three species of Candida. The colony forming units (CFU) in the kidneys of CD1 mice inoculated intravenously with 10(5) cells of the three species of Candida, collected at various intervals showed a good correlation with the median survival times: a rapid moltiplication of the C. albicans is evident in the kidneys of the animals 24 hours after the inoculation, while the C. krusei and the C. viswanathii do not moltiply.
Insights
Candida albicans causes lethal systemic infections in mice, while Candida krusei is non-pathogenic. Different mouse strains show similar resistance, suggesting non-genic control of infection severity.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Candida species are opportunistic fungal pathogens.
- Understanding the pathogenicity of different Candida species is crucial for clinical management.
- Murine models are essential for studying host-pathogen interactions in systemic fungal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the pathogenicity of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida viswanathii in a murine model.
- To investigate the role of host genetics in determining resistance to systemic Candida infections.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous inoculation of outbred CD1 mice with standardized concentrations of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida viswanathii.
- Monitoring of survival rates and median survival times.
- Quantification of colony-forming units (CFU) in murine kidneys at various time points post-infection.
- Assessment of pathogenicity across different mouse strains (CD1, CD2F1, B6C3HF1, Balb/c).
Main Results:
- Candida albicans demonstrated high pathogenicity, causing mortality at low concentrations.
- Candida krusei exhibited no pathogenicity, even at high doses.
- Candida viswanathii showed pathogenicity only at higher concentrations.
- No significant differences in resistance were observed across various mouse strains, indicating non-genic control.
- Kidney CFU counts correlated with survival times, with rapid Candida albicans multiplication observed within 24 hours, unlike Candida krusei and Candida viswanathii.
Conclusions:
- Candida albicans is significantly more virulent in this murine model compared to Candida krusei and Candida viswanathii.
- Host genetic factors do not appear to play a major role in determining susceptibility to these Candida species in the tested strains.
- The in vivo proliferation rate of Candida species in the kidneys is a key determinant of systemic infection outcome.