Measurement of blood clearance time by Limulus G test of Candida-water soluble polysaccharide fraction, CAWS, in mice.
The Limulus G test, responsive to beta-1,3-D-glucan, is a well-established method for the detection of invasive fungal infection. We have recently found that Candida albicans released a water-soluble polysaccharide fraction (CAWS) into synthetic medium (Uchiyama et al., FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol. 24 (1999) 411-420). CAWS was composed of a mannoprotein-beta-glucan complex and activated Limulus factor G, and thus would be similar to the Limulus active substance in patient's blood. In a preliminary investigation, we have found that CAWS is lethal when administered intravenously in a murine system. In this study, we examined the toxicity and then the fate of CAWS in mice. The lethal toxicity was strain-dependent and strain DBA/2 was the most resistant. The toxicity was, at least in part, reduced by salbutamol sulfate and prednisolone treatment in the sensitive strains. On intravenous administration, the half clearance time (t1/2) was approximately 40 min in mice (DBA/2). On intraperitoneal administration, CAWS appeared in the blood with a peak concentration at 1 h. In order to establish a treatment plan, it is important to demonstrate the onset and the termination of deep-seated mycosis. The Limulus G test is suitable for the above purpose; however, it is necessary to fully understand the fate of beta-1,3-D-glucan in patients' blood.
Kurihara
K
K
Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, School of Pharmacy, Japan.
Miura
N N
NN
Uchiyama
M
M
Ohno
N
N
Adachi
Y
Y
Aizawa
M
M
Tamura
H
H
Tanaka
S
S
Yadomae
T
T
D000818:Animals; D002175:Candida / Q000378:metabolism; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000378:metabolism*; D005936:Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D008033:Limulus Test; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D012995:Solubility; D047071:beta-Glucans
D005936:Glucans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D047071:beta-Glucans; C025363:mannoproteins; C033363:beta-1,3-glucan