Effects of chronic Candida albicans in the hamster cheek pouch

Sixty-four adult male hamsters had a suspension of either C. albicans (UO1) or C. albicans (ATCC 10261) placed in their cheek pouches once a week for up to 9 months. Four hamsters from both experimental groups, along with two untreated control hamsters, were killed at monthly intervals after the initial inoculation. Sections taken from the hamsters and examined in the light microscope showed that all experimental pouches had some or all of the following localized changes: inflammation and increased vascularity of the connective tissue; epithelial inflammation and microabscesses; hyperkeratosis; and isolated rete ridges similar to those in control pouches. C. albicans, usually the yeast form, was present on the exposed surface and between hyperplastic keratin squames. There was no hyphal invasion of the epithelium. Rather than being a true long-term study of chronic infection by C. albicans, the changes seen were probably the result of repetitive, more short-term responses after multiple inoculations.