Cell-mediated immunity following experimental vaccinations with Candida albicans ribosomes.

The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is induced in animals by vaccination with Candida albicans ribosomes. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) was detected in vivo in ribosome-vaccinated mice and guinea pigs by the footpad swelling and skin tests, respectively. The observed DTH was similar to that induced by live C. albicans organisms. A lymphocyte transformation assay was used for in vitro detection of CMI. The tritiated thymidine incorporation assays revealed that spleen lymphocytes from mice immunized with C. albicans ribosomes were stimulated by the ribosomal antigen. The findings establish that C. albicans ribosomes are able to induce CMI in experimental animals.