PROTEIN-A INDUCED PROTECTION AGAINST EXPERIMENTAL CANDIDIASIS IN MICE

Staphylococcus aureus protein-A (SpA), an important multipotent immuno stimulator, increased the resistance to infection with Candida albican s in Swiss albino mice. The mice treated with repeated immunologically active doses (1 mu g/mouse) of SpA, pre-and post-infection, showed on e hundred percent protection against experimental candidiasis, and con stituted the first such report. Protection could be demonstrated on th e basis of leukocyte counts, colony forming unit (CPU) kinetics in liv er, spleen, kidney and peritoneal cavity, and phagocytosis by monocyte -derived macrophages.