J Korean Soc Microbiol.  2000 Aug;35(4):317-324.

Relative risk of virulence factors in Candida-infected mouse

• Kim D
• Shin WS
• Lee KH
• Kim K
• Park YS
• Park JY
• Koh CM

Abstract

Candida albicans is one of the most frequently isolated fungal pathogens in human. Recently, the prevalence of candida infection has markedly increased, partially due to the increase of immunocompromised hosts. Proposed virulence factors of the pathogenic Candida are the ability to form hyphae to adhere to epithelial cell surfaces, and to secrete acid proteinases and phospholipases. We measured the relative cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and the ability of proteinase production (PROT), phospholipase production (PLase), adherence to host epithelium (ADH), and hyphal transition (Germ). The relative risk of virulence factors was analyzed by lethality test in murine model of hematogeneously disseminated candidal infection. According to Cox's proportional hazard analysis, the statistically significant virulence factors were PROT, ADH, and CSH. PROT was the highest risk factor of them. To evaluate the applicability for the diagnosis and treatment of Candidiasis, we examined the protective effect of the active and passive immunizations with the materials purified from virulence factors and antibodies to them in Candia-infected mice model. The mean survival times of active and passive immunized groups were slightly longer than those of non-immunized groups.

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antibodies
Candida
Candida albicans
Candidiasis
Diagnosis
Epithelial Cells
Epithelium
Humans
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
Hyphae
Immunization, Passive
Immunocompromised Host
Mice*
Peptide Hydrolases
Phospholipases
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Survival Rate
Virulence Factors*
Virulence*
Antibodies
Peptide Hydrolases
Phospholipases
Virulence Factors