Deletion of the Two-Component Histidine Kinase Gene (CHK1) of Candida albicans Contributes to Enhanced Growth Inhibition and Killing by Human Neutrophils In Vitro

We have observed that human neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNs]) have an increased growth-inhibitory and killing effect on a strain of Candida albicans with a deletion of CHK1, a gene encoding a putative histidine kinase. The PMN effect was not due to increased phagocytosis of the null strain. This observation may partially explain the reduced virulence in a hematogenously disseminated murine model of candidiasis.