QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Boyne, R. Articles by Arthur, J. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Boyne, R. Articles by Arthur, J. R.

The Response of Selenium-Deficient Mice to Candida albicans Infection¹

Rowett Research Institute, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB Scotland

The effects of selenium deficiency on the responses to Candida albicans infection were examined in mice. When selenium-deficient and selenium-supplemented mice were given i.v. injections of 0.1 ml suspensions of 1 x 10⁵ or 5 x 10⁴ C. albicans in 0.9% sterile saline, deaths in the selenium-deficient animals started after 2.5–3.5 d compared with 7–8.5 d in the selenium-supplemented animals. Further studies demonstrated that 3 d after an i.v. injection of 1 x 10⁵ C. albicans, significantly more of the microorganisms were found in the kidneys (P < 0.001), livers (P < 0.025) and spleens (P < 0.01) of the selenium-deficient mice compared with the same organs of selenium-supplemented animals. Selenium deficiency was also demonstrated to impair the ability of mouse neutrophils to kill C. albicans in in vitro tests. The possible relationships of this defect in function to decreased resistance to C. albicans infection is discussed.

KEY WORDS: • selenium deficiency • infection • mice • Candida albicans • neutrophils • candidacidal activity

¹ Preliminary reports of this research were presented at the 5th International Symposium on Trace Elements in Man and Animals (TEMA-5), Aberdeen, U.K., June 29–July 4, 1984.

Manuscript received 25 June 1985. Revision accepted 7 January 1986.