Simplified J774A.1 macrophage assay for fungal pathogenicity demonstrates non-clinical strains survive better than lab strains.

(formerly known as ) is the second most common cause of candidiasis, whereas the closely related yeast, causes few infections. Macrophages can control infections through phagocytosis, but in cell culture, is able to persist in macrophages better than non-pathogenic yeast. Using J774A.1 macrophages, we simplified a standard persistence/survival assay by counting yeast cells with flow cytometry and incorporating an antifungal treatment. These improvements minimized wash steps and variation so fewer replicates were needed. Here, we demonstrate that loss of does not lower pathogenicity, and that three non-clinical strains survive in macrophages better than a laboratory strain.