Relationship between Candida albicans virulence during experimental hematogenously disseminated infection and endothelial cell damage in vitro

Infect Immun. 2004 Jan;72(1):598-601. doi: 10.1128/IAI.72.1.598-601.2004.

Abstract

Candida albicans must penetrate the endothelial cell lining of the vasculature to invade the deep tissues during a hematogenously disseminated infection. We compared 27 C. albicans mutants with their wild-type parent for their capacity to damage endothelial cells in vitro and cause a lethal infection in mice following tail vein inoculation. Of 10 mutants with significantly impaired capacity to damage endothelial cells, all had attenuated virulence. Therefore, the endothelial cell damage assay can be used as a screen to identify some virulence factors relevant to hematogenously disseminated candidiasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Candida albicans / genetics
  • Candida albicans / pathogenicity*
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
  • Endothelial Cells / microbiology*
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mutation
  • Umbilical Cord
  • Virulence / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Virulence Factors