Active immunisation of mice against muscle damage mediated by Candida albicans.

The effect of active immunisation on muscle damage after systemic infection with Candida albicans was examined in a murine model. Mice were successfully immunised against acute muscle damage by vaccines of viable, nonviable, or disrupted C. albicans. In addition, markedly enhanced survival of immunised mice was demonstrated over a 4-week interval. There was protection against muscle damage in immunised mice without a reduction in the number of organisms present in cardiac tissue. The data indirectly implicate the role of humoral immunity in the protection afforded by immunisation.