Open AccessAvirulence of Candida albicans auxotrophic mutants in a rat model of oropharyngeal candidiasis
Author(s) -
Cole Michael F.,
Bowen William H.,
Zhao Xiaojiong,
Cihlar Ronald L.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1995.tb07413.x
Subject(s) - virulence , candida albicans , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , mutant , auxotrophy , yeast , morphogenesis , corpus albicans , strain (injury) , hypha , virulence factor , genetics , gene , anatomy
The virulence of Candida albicans strain SC5413 and two isogenic derivatives have been investigated in a rat model of oropharyngeal candidiasis. The results demonstrate that both mutant strains are avirulent in this animal model while the parental strain readily initiates infection. Avirulence is not related to altered growth characteristics or the inability of the strains to undergo yeast‐to‐hyphal morphogenesis. The potential importance of nutritional sufficiency as a virulence factor as well as the possibility of utilizing such strains in the development of an in vitro expression technology system for Candida albicans is discussed.