Experimental intraabdominal candidiasis: macroscopic, microscopic and cultural natural history.

We have developed a rabbit model for intraabdominal candidiasis by the intraperitoneal injection of Candida albicans. The most reliable early predictor of induction of disease was positive paracentesis cultures for C. albicans during the 1st week post-inoculation (p.i.). Cultures of mesenteric and renal abscess were mean log 6.20 and 3.18 colony-forming units (CFU) per gram tissue, respectively, 1 week p.i., and remained positive for the 21-day i.p. period. Incidence of hematogenous dissemination, judged by chorioretinal cultures, was 69%. Histopathology of involved organs demonstrated suppurative abscesses at 1 week p.i.; lesions became more granulomatous at 2 and 3 weeks p.i.