Quantitative measurement of lymphocyte mediated growth inhibition of Candida albicans

A rapid and reproducible assay has been developed to measure the capacity of lymphocytes to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. Fungal growth inhibition was assessed optimally as the incorporation of [3H]uridine into preformed hyphae, following interaction of the hyphae with effector lymphocytes. The assay was sensitive to the detection of fungal growth inhibition by lymphocytes at low effector to target ratios and results correlated well with other methods for measurement of anti-C. albicans growth inhibition in vitro. Although the assay was developed for the measurement of lymphocyte mediated anti-fungal activity, other mammalian cell populations can be assayed for growth inhibition of C. albicans as well. The described assay utilizes the enzyme lyticase to reduce the surface binding of C. albicans. The use of this enzyme permits the efficient harvest of large numbers of experimental samples with a multiple automated sample harvester.