title: A novel bioluminescence mouse model for monitoring oropharyngeal candidiasis in mice.
abstract: Oropharyngeal Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection usually occurs in patients with altered cell-mediated immune response. Many animal models have been developed for studying the pathogenesis of disease. Here we describe a new model for real-time monitoring of oral candidiasis. Mice were rendered susceptible to oral candidiasis by injection with cortisone acetate. Oral infection was performed by placing a swab saturated with genetically engineered bioluminescent strain of C. albicans sublingually. An in vivo imaging technique, exploiting stably trasformed C. albicans that costitutively express luciferase, was adopted. This novel longitudinal study represents a powerful tool to: (1) test real-time progression of infection, (2) identify the target site of C. albicans in specific organs, (3) evaluate the efficacy of antifungal therapies and (4) explore the spread of C. albicans from the local to systemic compartment in a new way.
authors: Internal Medicine, Department of Pathology, Diagnostic and Veterinary Clinic, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Mosci
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Pericolini
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Gabrielli
authors: Samyr
authors: S
authors: Kenno
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Perito
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Bistoni
authors: Christophe
authors: C
authors: d'Enfert
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Vecchiarelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice / Q000382:microbiology; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D008156:Luciferases
keywords: C. albicans; OPC; bioluminescence; imaging; longitudinal study; real-time