Experimental chronic vaginal candidosis in rats.

In the past, the rat model of experimental vaginal candidosis has been used to study the efficacy of antifungal agents in eradicating acute vaginitis. In the present study, chronic vaginal candidosis was induced to study the natural history of the infection. Results indicate that chronic infection is readily achieved and is strictly dependent on oophorectomy and hormonal maintenance of pseudoestrous. Histologic studies confirm that rats so infected and with long term vaginal carriage of Candida albicans have true chronic infection with extensive mycelial formation and superficial mucosal invasion.