Investigation of 5-hydroxytryptamine production by Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo
Hurley, R.; Leask, B.G.; Ruthven, C.R.; Sandler, M.; Southgate, J.
Microbios 4(14): 133-143
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-2633 PMID: 4949965 Document Number: 41530
Using refined methods of analysis the experiments of SOKOLOFF et al. [RMVM 7, 1728] were repeated. They were also elaborated to include studies on animals in which disseminated C. albicans infections had been experimentally induced. There was no evidence that C. albicans produces 5 hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) either in vitro or in vivo, nor was there increase in the 5-HT levels in rats given the fungus by the oral or intravenous routes even in the presence of the multiplying fungus and of severe progressive mycotic disease. It was concluded that the elevation of urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in animals with induced systemic infection is evidence only of the gross anatomical induced systemic infection known to occur in this disease and cannot be specifically attributed to the fungus.