Inflammation induced by inoculation of the joint with Candida albicans.

In humans Candida albicans is the most frequently isolated opportunistic fungal pathogen. In immunocompromized host the balance with the commensal fungus easily turns to life-threatening disseminated infection. The asymptomatic Candida persistence in organs and the recurrent infections suggest continuous circulation of yeast cells and their degradation products. Under certain conditions, joints might become one of the infectious sites. More easily a reactivation and destructive process can be provoked in individuals with established arthritis. We have investigated the joint inflammation caused by inoculation of the paw with live C. albicans, in intact mice and mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The results demonstrate that C. albicans infection when localized into the joints caused rapidly progressing septic arthritis. The effect was associated with a strong swelling, a rapid influx of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells, and an elevated secretion of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma by lymph node cells. Joint infection exacerbated the established CIA which correlated with an increased level of anti-collagen antibodies.