title: Temporal events in the intravenous challenge model for experimental Candida albicans infections in female mice.
abstract: We characterized the intravenous (i.v.) challenge model for disseminated Candida albicans infection in female BALB/c and DBA/2 mice. Clearance of fungi from the bloodstream and appearance of fungi in tissues were measured at intervals after challenge with various doses of C. albicans. The wild-type isolate SC5314 and derived strains CAF2-1 and CAI-4 transformed with CIp10 were of equal virulence in the model. Variability in mouse survival times, kidney fungal burdens and cachexia was lowest when challenge inocula were within the range 10(4)-10(5) CFU g(-1) body weight in BALB/c mice, but brain fungal burdens and outcomes in DBA/2 mice were variable for all inocula tested. Critical times in the development of infections in optimally challenged BALB/c mice were at 5-10 h (bloodstream fully cleared of fungi), 24 h (start of exponential fungal growth in kidneys) and 48 h (50% of blood cultures become positive). Differential involvement of right and left kidneys occurred almost exclusively in mice challenged with <2 x 10(4) CFU g(-1). We conclude that the i.v. challenge model in female BALB/c mice is now sufficiently well characterized to permit more refined experimentation in future virulence studies with C. albicans mutants.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB5 2ZD, UK.
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: MacCallum
authors.forename: Frank C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Odds
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology; D002100:Cachexia; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D016469:Fungemia; D007668:Kidney / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors