Open AccessMeasurement of blood clearance time by Limulus G test of Candida ‐water soluble polysaccharide fraction, CAWS, in mice
Author(s) -
Kurihara Kiyoshi,
Miura Noriko N.,
Uchiyama Michiharu,
Ohno Naohito,
Adachi Yoshiyuki,
Aizawa Maki,
Tamura Hiroshi,
Tanaka Shigenori,
Yadomae Toshiro
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2000.tb01507.x
Subject(s) - limulus , toxicity , microbiology and biotechnology , candida albicans , biology , polysaccharide , pharmacology , beta glucan , acute toxicity , glucan , medicine , biochemistry , paleontology
The Limulus G test, responsive to β‐1,3‐ d ‐glucan, is a well‐established method for the detection of invasive fungal infection. We have recently found that Candida albicans released a water‐soluble polysaccharide fraction (CAWS) into synthetic medium (Uchiyama et al., FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol. 24 (1999) 411–420). CAWS was composed of a mannoprotein‐β‐glucan complex and activated Limulus factor G, and thus would be similar to the Limulus active substance in patient's blood. In a preliminary investigation, we have found that CAWS is lethal when administered intravenously in a murine system. In this study, we examined the toxicity and then the fate of CAWS in mice. The lethal toxicity was strain‐dependent and strain DBA/2 was the most resistant. The toxicity was, at least in part, reduced by salbutamol sulfate and prednisolone treatment in the sensitive strains. On intravenous administration, the half clearance time ( t 1/2 ) was approximately 40 min in mice (DBA/2). On intraperitoneal administration, CAWS appeared in the blood with a peak concentration at 1 h. In order to establish a treatment plan, it is important to demonstrate the onset and the termination of deep‐seated mycosis. The Limulus G test is suitable for the above purpose; however, it is necessary to fully understand the fate of β‐1,3‐ d ‐glucan in patients’ blood