The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 42, Issue 4 291-298, Copyright © 1995 by Society for General Microbiology
Various Candida and Torulopsis species differ in their ability to induce the production of C3, factor B and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in human monocyte cultures
A. K. Hogasen, T. G. Abrahamsen and P. Gaustad
Department of Pediatric Research, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
The incidence of infections with Candida albicans and also with
non-albicans yeast species is increasing rapidly, particularly in
immunocompromised patients. Eight Candida and Torulopsis species were
compared for their ability to stimulate production of complement components
C3 and factor B by monocytes. In addition, the release of
granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was determined,
because this cytokine affects monocyte complement production. The highest
ranked pathogenic yeasts, i.e., C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C.
parapsilosis, were the most effective inducers of C3, factor B and GM-CSF
production. C. krusei and T. glabrata showed intermediate activity, whereas
C. kefyr, C. guilliermondii and T. candida had only a moderate stimulatory
effect on C3 production and did not affect either factor B or GM-CSF
release. The stimulated cytokine and complement production in response to
the yeasts was highly variable in monocytes from different donors, but
there was a consistent inverse relationship between C3 and GM-CSF
concentrations in the monocyte supernates. This is in agreement with the
previously described suppressive effect of GM-CSF on yeast-induced C3, but
not factor B production. The monocyte responses elicited by a specific
yeast species may be linked to its pathogenicity, and may also explain the
predilection of some yeasts for particular underlying diseases.
