Inhibition of mycelial growth of Candida albicans by ascites fluid of tumor bearing mice

The effects of ascites fluids and sera of tumor-bearing mice on the mycelia l growth of Candida albicans were examined. When the ascites fluids or the sera obtained from mice inoculated with MM46 mammary carcinoma were added t o the culture medium, mycelial growth of C. albicans was strongly inhibited . The molecular size of the growth inhibitory factor in the ascites fluids was estimated to be approximately 80 K dalton by gel-filtration chromatogra phy. Ferric chloride (6 mu M) neutralized the anti-Candida activity. On the basis of these results including morphological observation, a possible rol e of a transferrin-like molecule was discussed.