Sustained gastrointestinal colonization and systemic dissemination by Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis in adult mice

• Published in: Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease Vol. 38; no. 1; pp. 21 - 28
• Main Authors: Mellado, E, Cuenca-Estrella, M, Regadera, J, González, M, Dı́az-Guerra, T.M, Rodrı́guez-Tudela, J.L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.09.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Biological and medical sciences; Candida albicans - pathogenicity; Candidiasis - immunology; Candidiasis - microbiology; Cyclophosphamide - administration & dosage; Digestive System - microbiology; Disease Models, Animal; Esophagus - microbiology; Esophagus - pathology; Experimental mycoses and models; Feces - microbiology; Gastric Mucosa - microbiology; Gastric Mucosa - pathology; Glucose - administration & dosage; Histocytochemistry; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Immunosuppressive Agents - administration & dosage; Infectious diseases; Liver - microbiology; Liver - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Methylprednisolone - administration & dosage; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Mycoses; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Tetracycline - administration & dosage; Candida albicans; Animal model; Candidiasis; Yeast; Mycosis; Digestive system; Rodentia; Candida parapsilosis; Fungi; Infection; Vertebrata; Experimental disease; Mammalia; Mouse; Infectivity; Adult animal; Candida tropicalis; Fungi Imperfecti; Colonization; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0732-8893; 1879-0070
• DOI: 10.1016/S0732-8893(00)00165-6

The ability of nine clinical isolates of Candida species (three C. albicans, three C. tropicalis and three C. parapsilosis) to colonize and invade the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of adult male CD-1 (ICR) mice was determined. The effect of dietary tetracycline plus glucose supplementation on colonization was evaluated. Strains were intragastrically inoculated. Tetracycline and glucose altered substantially aerobic flora, especially streptococci (average fall 1.1 ± 0.3 log 10 CFU/g, p < 0.01 by the Student’s t test). At two weeks after oral challenge, sustained and high colonization of GI tract by Candida (mean 5,28 ± 0.18 log 10 CFU/g, p < 0.01) was achieved in all mice receiving glucose-tetracycline supplementation, excepting in animals inoculated with one of C. tropicalis isolates. Histologic sections of the stomachs revealed multiple intraepithelial micro-abscesses associated with hyphae in the region of the cardial-atrium fold. Under immunosuppression, systemic spread of C. albicans and C. tropicalis was observed in 62% and 24% of animals receiving dietary supplementation respectively. Dissemination was not noted for C. parapsilosis isolates. We have developed a simple and inexpensive murine model of sustained colonization of GI tract. This model could be useful for analyzing prophylaxis, treatment and diagnosis of systemic Candida infections and for evaluating virulence of strains.