BIOMATERIAL-ASSOCIATED INFECTION WITH CANDIDA-ALBICANS IN MICE

Candida yeasts are frequently isolated from patients with continuous a mbulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis or other biomaterial-associa ted infections. The mouse model of candidal peritonitis was used to st udy the interaction of Candida cells with end-point attached hepariniz ed polyethylene (H-PE) and with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) or macrophages (M phi). Two Candida strains differing in cell surface hy drophobicity and in expression of fibronectin (Fn) binding were used f or the study. Cells of both Candida strains adhered at higher numbers to H-PE surfaces preadsorbed with Fn or with human dialysis fluid (HDF ) than to non-modified H-PE, supporting a role of Fn in mediating adhe sion. C. albicans 4016 cells expressing low hydrophobicity and low bin ding of soluble Fn demonstrated stronger adhesion to PMNs than the mor e hydrophobic C, albicans 3248 yeasts, which express high binding of s oluble Fn. However, C. albicans 4016 cells were more resistant to phag ocytic kilting and were hardly eradicated in intraperitoneally infecte d mice. The animals depleted in PMNs by treatment with CY were neither able to eradicate C. albicans 3248 (rapidly eliminated by normal mice ) nor C. albicans 4016 yeasts (with a tendency to persist in the tissu es of normal mice).