Experimental disseminated candidiasis. II. Administration of glucocorticosteroids, susceptibility to infection, and immunity.
A model of experimental disseminated candidiasis in inbred guinea pigs was used for study of the effects of both short-acting and long-acting glucocorticosteroid administration on the susceptibility to infection, the development of in vivo and in vitro parameters of cell-mediated immunity, and the expression of already established Candida-specific, cell-mediated immunity. Results revealed that long-acting glucocorticosteroids markedly potentiated infection, increasing mortality and suppressing already established cellular immune parameters. The development of cellular immunity to Candida was not impaired. Short-acting glucocorticosteroids, however, did not potentiate infection, and they affected neither the development nor the expression of immune parameters.
D000818:Animals; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology*; D003348:Cortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*
D003348:Cortisone; D006854:Hydrocortisone