Objectives: The emergence of the drug-resistant Candida strains underscores the need for development of new preventive strategies and alternative forms of treatment. We have reported the effect of anti-Candida albicans (anti-CA) IgY in the mouse model. The objectives of this study were (i) to investigate the cross activity of anti-CA IgY against various C. albicans strains and Candida species and (ii) to investigate the effect of anti-CA IgY in the reduction of the oral Candida count in elderly.
Methods: The cross activity of anti-CA IgY was examined by both micro-agglutination and adhesion inhibition assays. In the micro-agglutination assay, Candida species were incubated with anti-CA IgY and the agglutination was examined under the microscope. The adhesion inhibition activity was examined in FaDu cells. The adhered colonies were counted by using YPD agar. The effect of anti-CA IgY on oral Candida count was examined in two volunteers. The experiment was extended for 6 months and divided to 3 phases. Different doses of anti-CA IgY were used. Saliva samples were examined once a week.
Results: Anti-CA IgY showed various degrees of agglutination activity against different Candida species. The adhered CFUs of Candida species to FaDu cells were significantly reduced. In the pilot study, the oral Candida count was gradually declined to become under the count level (10 CFU/ml) within 3 weeks after treatment. After stopping the treatment, Candida count was gradually increased again. Similar results were obtained by using the dose of 500 and 250 mg/day. There was no noticeable effect of 100 mg/day.
Conclusion: Anti-CA IgY showed a strong effect not only on C. albicans but also on other Candida species and expressed a strong effect on the reduction of oral Candida count in elderly. Therefore, anti-CA IgY might be considered as a prophylactic immunotherapy or possibly an adjunct to antifungal therapy. |
