glycogen and Candidiasis

Topics: Adult; Antifungal Agents; Candida; Candidiasis; Contraceptives, Oral; Female; Glycogen; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Trichomonas Vaginitis; Vagina; Vaginitis

It has been accepted for many years that the susceptibility of the genital tract to infection is reduced during the follicular phase compared with the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. Since the role of intrauterine neutrophils is paramount in the elimination of bacteria, it can be hypothesized that these differences in resistance to infection could be mediated by differences in uterine-derived neutrophil function. In order to test this hypothesis two groups of cows were used in this study. Group 1 cows (n=5) were studied at estrus, diestrus, after ovariectomy, after exogenous estradiol and after progesterone treatment, at which time they underwent intrauterine infusion with 1% oyster glycogen (OG) and a bacterial-free filtrate (BFF) of Actinomyces genes (BFF), the latter having been recovered from a clinical case of endometritis; neutrophils were harvested by flushing from the lumen 15 to 18 h later. A peripheral blood sample was collected at the time of flushing for the assay of estradiol and progesterone for a WBC and differential count and for the harvesting of neutrophils using a Percoll single-stage discontinuous gradient. After the recovery of the cells they were re-suspended in HBSS. Group 2 (n=4) were infused with BFF during during all reproductive states as Group 1, but with OG only after ovariectomy and after treatment with progesterone and estradiol. Neutrophil chemotaxis was assessed by measuring their migration using a modified Boyden chamber and Zymogen-activated serum as a chemoattractant. Phagocytic activity was measured by determining the number of Candida albicans ingested by each neutrophil after incubation. The percentage of kill was determined using a radiometric assay in which C. albicans was labeled with L-(5-3H) Proline. Peripheral WBC concentration was not influenced by the reproductive state of the cow; however, the mean neutrophil concentration was significantly different between the reproductive states (P<0.001) and between individual cows (P<0.001). In Group 1, there was little difference in the function of the peripheral and uterine neutrophils, and while there were differences in all 3 aspects of neutrophil function from both sources between reproductive states and individual cows, of which some were statistically significant, there was no consistent pattern. In Group 2, neutrophils recovered after the infusion of BFF had poorer function compared with those recovered after the infusion of OG. There was no consistent influe

Topics: Animals; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Cattle; Centrifugation, Density Gradient; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Coloring Agents; Diestrus; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Estradiol; Estrus; Female; Glycogen; Leukocyte Count; Neutrophils; Ovariectomy; Phagocytosis; Progesterone; Radioimmunoassay; Scintillation Counting; Trypan Blue; Uterus

Previous studies have suggested that yeast cell growth temperature may influence the relative virulence of the opportunistic dimorphic fungus Candida albicans. To test this possibility, mice were challenged with C. albicans yeast cells which were grown at either room temperature or 37 degrees C, and their survival was monitored daily. Mice which received room temperature-grown cells died faster. The interaction of glycogen-elicited polymorphonucleated neutrophils (PMNs) with C. albicans yeast cells grown at the two temperatures was examined, because PMNs have been shown to have a critical role in preventing development of candidiasis in normal individuals. In the absence of serum (i.e., nonopsonic conditions), more PMNs conjugated and engulfed C. albicans cells grown at room temperature than those grown at 37 degrees C. However, PMNs were less able to kill cells grown at room temperature than cells grown at 37 degrees C. Cells grown at room temperature also produced abundant germ tubes after engulfment and were thus more likely to escape killing by phagocytes. These results suggest that cells grown at room temperature are more virulent because they are less likely to be killed by phagocytes and are more likely to disseminate. The possibility that expression of cell surface hydrophobicity is involved in these events is discussed.

Topics: Animals; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Female; Glycogen; Male; Mice; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Solubility; Temperature

Topics: Candidiasis; Cell Membrane; Cytoplasmic Granules; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Glycogen; Humans; Lysosomes; Microscopy, Electron; Mitosporic Fungi; Organoids; Spores; Spores, Fungal