[The effect of therapeutic doses of gamma radiation on candida albicans cells in vitro (author's transl)].

The problem of side effects of radiotherapy in genital carcinomas on a concomitant vaginal yeast infection was investigated by subjecting candida albicans cells in vitro to the effects of gamma radiation. Agar plates with a defined number of candida albicans cells were irradiated with the conventional gynaecological sources of radium applicators and tele-cobalt. The experimental incubation of the agar plates showed that the number and growth of the yeast colonies were either completely inhibited or stunted by the effect of the radiation. There were also mutations in the cell morphology, animal pathogenecity and sensitivity to antimycotic drugs. The clinical implications of these results are discussed.