Candida albicans Mannan Extract—Protein Conjugates Induce a Protective Immune Response against Experimental Candidiasis

Candida albicans mannan extracts encapsulated in liposomes were previously used to stimulate mice to produce antibodies protective against candidiasis. In the present study, mannan-protein conjugates without liposomes were tested as vaccine candidates. Mannan extracts were coupled to bovine serum albumin, and isolated conjugates consisted of carbohydrate and protein at a ratio of 0.7–1.0. Vaccination of mice with the conjugate and an adjuvant yielded antiserum that contained Candida agglutinins. Vaccinated mice challenged with yeast cells had a mean survival time of 56 days, compared with