Cecal Colonization and Systemic Spread of Candida albicans in Mice Treated with Antibiotics and Dexamethasone

Candida colonization and candidemia in a pediatric intensive care unit

“…They were therefore receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics, which is an accepted risk factor for Candida colonization and infection (13,14,17,20). We observed a very high incidence of Candida colonization in these patients after a PICU stay Ͼ5 days.…”

Comparative virulence of Candida albicans yeast and filamentous forms in orally and intravenously inoculated mice

“…To facilitate extraintestinal dissemination of C. albicans, mice were injected intraperitoneally twice daily with 0.5 mL of 4 mg/mL (or 2 mg twice daily) dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Elkins-Sinn, Cherry Hill, NJ) on the day of oral C. albicans inoculation and for three subsequent days. (In the absence of antibiotics, C. albicans does not successfully colonize the mouse cecum, and in the absence of dexamethasone, extraintestinal dissemination of C. albicans occurs only in an occasional mouse (25,26).) Antibiotics were continued for the duration of the experiment.…”

Invasive Fungal Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

“…The risk for invasive disease is related to intensity of colonization, which can be increased by exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroid use, diabetes mellitus, prolonged stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) and urinary catheterization [23–25]. Although colonization is generally a prerequisite for infection, even heavy colonization does not invariably lead to invasive disease.…”