Horizontal Transmission of Candida albicans and Evidence of a Vaccine Response in Mice Colonized with the Fungus
2011

Horizontal Transmission of Candida albicans and Vaccine Response in Mice

Sample size: 12 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Jim E. Cutler, Miriam Corti, Patrick Lambert, Michael Ferris, Hong Xin

Primary Institution: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Hypothesis

How does Candida albicans colonization and serum antibodies affect vaccine responses in mice?

Conclusion

Mice colonized with Candida albicans can still produce antibodies in response to a vaccine despite the presence of the fungus.

Supporting Evidence

  • Candida colonization occurred in mice treated with antibiotics.
  • Many Candida-colonized mice developed serum fungal-specific antibodies.
  • Colonized mice were still able to produce antibodies in response to the Fba immunogen.

Takeaway

The study shows that mice can get a fungus called Candida from other mice and still respond to a vaccine against it.

Methodology

Mice were colonized with Candida albicans and then vaccinated with a peptide vaccine to assess immune response.

Potential Biases

Potential for cross-contamination during handling of mice.

Limitations

The study's findings may not fully translate to humans due to differences in immune responses between species.

Participant Demographics

C57BL/6 and BALB/c female mice, 2–3 months old.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022030

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