Immunological Response of Albino Rats Immunized With Heat-Killed Candida Albicans for the Possible Prevention of Candidemia

The treatments of systemic candidiasis in humans with the current antifungal drugs of choice such as azole derivatives and amphotericin B have raised issues associated with toxicity, resistance, high morbidity, socioeconomic impact, and low quality of life. The immunogenic property of heat-killed C. albicans to elicit immunological response in the possible prevention of the candidiasis was explored. At baseline, white blood cell differentials and antibody titres were determined after acclimatization. The experimental group was immunized on two occasions with ۱۰۶cells/ml of heat-killed C. albicans and subsequently challenged along with the positive control with ۱۰۶ viable C. albicans while the Negative control received normal saline during the same period of the study. These rats were bled for the determination of antibody titres and white blood cell differentials. Also, rats from the three groups were observed for four weeks for survival after challenge to determine the protective effect of heat-killed C. albicans. The results revealed that heat killed C. albicans stimulated a significant amount of antibodies and WBC differentials that were immunoprotective. We also found that all immunized rats survived challenge with ۱۰۶ viable cells while the kidneys of the dead unimmunized rats showed a positive growth of C. albicans. Thus, heat killed C. albicans could provide significant protection.The treatments of systemic candidiasis in humans with the current antifungal drugs of choice such as azole derivatives and amphotericin B have raised issues associated with toxicity, resistance, high morbidity, socioeconomic impact, and low quality of life. The immunogenic property of heat-killed C. albicans to elicit immunological response in the possible prevention of the candidiasis was explored. At baseline, white blood cell differentials and antibody titres were determined after acclimatization. The experimental group was immunized on two occasions with ۱۰۶cells/ml of heat-killed C. albicans and subsequently challenged along with the positive control with ۱۰۶ viable C. albicans while the Negative control received normal saline during the same period of the study. These rats were bled for the determination of antibody titres and white blood cell differentials. Also, rats from the three groups were observed for four weeks for survival after challenge to determine the protective effect of heat-killed C. albicans. The results revealed that heat killed C. albicans stimulated a significant amount of antibodies and WBC differentials that were immunoprotective. We also found that all immunized rats survived challenge with ۱۰۶ viable cells while the kidneys of the dead unimmunized rats showed a positive growth of C. albicans. Thus, heat killed C. albicans could provide significant protection.

Keywords:

Candida albicans , Candidaisis , Delayed-type hypersensitivity