Murine candidiasis. Pathogenesis and host responses in genetically distinct inbred mice.

The pathogenesis of Candida albicans infection was compared in three inbred strains of mice--CBA/H; C57B1/6J and BALB/c. CBA/H mice developed the most severe lesions, and also showed the weakest inflammatory responses in the popliteal lymph node after challenge with live organisms in the footpad. Nevertheless, this strain cleared candida from the spleen more efficiently than either C57B1/6J or BALB/c mice. This apparently excludes a defect in phagocytosis as the basis for the increased susceptibility. The gene(s) determining susceptibility in CBA/H mice are located outside the major histocompatibility complex (MHC).