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Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, February 2000, p. 243-247, Vol. 44, No. 2
0066-4804/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Immunization with the Candida albicans Membrane Fraction and in Combination with Fluconazole Protects against Systemic Fungal Infections

Shigetoshi Mizutani,* Masahiro Endo, Toshiaki Ino-ue, Masahiro Kurasawa, Yoko Uno, Hideharu Saito, Ikunoshin Kato, and Kazutoh Takesako

Biotechnology Research Laboratories, Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Seta, Otsu, Shiga 520-2193, Japan

Received 22 March 1999/Returned for modification 2 June 1999/Accepted 3 November 1999

We studied the immunogenicity of a membrane fraction prepared from Candida albicans cells called C. albicans membrane antigen (CMA). The present study revealed that CMA immunization has antifungal activity in mouse models of systemic fungal infection. Immunization of mice by subcutaneous injections of CMA with incomplete Freund adjuvant induced resistance to infections caused not only by C. albicans but also by Aspergillus fumigatus. The level of resistance to candidiasis was as high as that induced by whole-cell immunization. The acquired resistance to candidiasis in the mice immunized with CMA was not diminished by immunosuppressive treatment with cyclophosphamide. The level of resistance to fungal infections was superior to that given by fluconazole (FLC) treatment alone and highly enhanced by the combination with FLC. When CD4+ cells in CMA-immunized mice were depleted by a monoclonal antibody, the antifungal activity induced by the combination of CMA and FLC was significantly reduced. These results indicate that immunization with CMA is useful for preventing systemic fungal infections and in combination with FLC for increasing resistance after infection.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Biotechnology Research Laboratories, Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Seta, Otsu, Shiga 520-2193, Japan. Phone: 81-77-543-7214. Fax: 81-77-543-2494. E-mail: mizutanis{at}takara.co.jp.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, February 2000, p. 243-247, Vol. 44, No. 2
0066-4804/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


This article has been cited by other articles:

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