title: Effect of carbon dioxide on the growth and form of Candida albicans.
abstract: The effect of CO2 on the growth of 31 strains of Candida albicans was studied in serum and in a defined medium containing urea, ammonium chloride, asparagine, glutamine or acetamide as the nitrogen source. CO2 10% enhanced the mycelial growth of all strains when the medium contained an appropriate constituent to mediate its effects. The effect of CO2 was most clearly demonstrated at 30 degrees C when it induced a characteristic growth form consisting of a single swollen blastospore giving rise to a long, unbranched mycelial tube with few secondary blastospores; in atmospheric concentrations of CO2 only blastospore growth occurred. Growth in the blastospore form was more rapid in CO2 10% than in air. Bicarbonate ions had no effect on mycelium formation. The result suggest that the induction of germ-tubes and mycelial growth is essentially a physical phenomenon caused by the intracellular accumulation of CO2 in limited nutrient conditions, a view consistent with other reported laboratory and clinical findings.
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003470:Culture Media; D010313:Partial Pressure; D013172:Spores, Fungal
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D002245:Carbon Dioxide