Experimental murine candidiasis: pathological and immune responses in T-lymphocyte-depleted mice.

Mice depleted of T-lymphocytes by thymectomy and irradiation (TXB) and immunologically competent mice were compared for gross and histological pathology as well as immune responses after cutaneous and/or intravenous challenge with Candida albicans. In response to a first cutaneous inoculation with viable Candida, TXB, sham-operated (SXB), and unmanipulated (normal) mice, all developed lesions of comparable size, duration, and histopathology. When challenged a second time cutaneously, normal and SXB mice developed lesions which were greatly increased in size when compared with those produced by a first cutaneous infection, whereas TXB mice developed lesions comparable in size to those initiated by the first infection. Histologically, the first and second lesions in all animals were acute abscesses predominantly comprised of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The larger second lesions in SXB and normal mice were accompanied by detectable circulating antibody and by delayed hypersensitivity. Neither circulating antibody nor delayed hypersensitivity were stimulated in the TXB mice. When challenged intravenously, all previously uninfected mice, regardless of T-cell status, were equally susceptible to C. albicans. Contrary to SXB or normal mice, however, TXB mice which had been infected cutaneously were not more resistant to a subsequent intravenous challenge as judged by 6-week survival. The results suggest that T-cells do not play a significant role in innate resistance of mice to systemic candidiasis, but that such cells are important in the development of acquired resistance.

Malignant cystosarcoma phylloides. Treatment and prognosis.

Twenty-six cases of malignant cystosarcoma phylloides treated at The Charity Hospital of Louisiana were reviewed. No metastases to axillary lymph nodes was observed. The lesion appears to metastasize seldom, if ever, to lymphatics, and axillary dissection is seldom required. Local recurrence was common, however, and justifies wide resection of the primary. Mortality was related more to the size of the lesion than to other findings such as skin or muscle involvement. No lesion with less than three mitoses per ten high power fields and minimal stromal atypia proved fatal. Associated neoplasia was common, particularly in the opposite breast.

Experimental murine candidiasis: pathological and immune responses to cutaneous inoculation with Candida albicans.

Cutaneous infection of mice with Candida albicans elicited a predominantly acute inflammatory response, stimulated the production of precipitating antibodies, and conferred protection against subsequent intravenous challenge with the same organism. The acute inflammatory skin reaction seen after cutaneous infection suggested a predominantly humoral response to Candida. Animals infected cutaneously a second time with viable C. albicans developed larger skin lesions than animals infected only once, and the twice-infected animals were more resistant to an intravenous challenge as well. The cutaneous inoculation of mice with heat-killed C. albicans was less effective in stimulating antibody production, in eliciting the inflammatory response, and in inducing a protective response demonstrable by intravenous challenge with viable Candida. This model of experimental candidiasis represents a reproducible means of studying a protective immune response to the organism.

Benign liver tumors: what is their relationship to oral contraceptives?

A series of eight cases of benign hepatocellular tumors from the New Orleans area is presented. Clinical and histological features of these unusual tumors are discussed. Also, a series of 56 similar cases reported in the literature is reviewed. We conclude that these tumors have shown definite evidence of hormonal sensitivity and there is strong circumstantial evidence that oral contraceptive medications have contributed to their recent increased incidence. Although the risk of this problem in the overall population of women taking oral contraceptives seems to be quite small, further clinical and experimental research on this problem is clearly indicated.