Susceptibility to vaginal candidiasis under different conditions in mice

In order to study the susceptibility of murine vaginal mucosa to Candida albicans under different conditions, vaginal lavage fluid and vaginal tissue of mice were observed and compared between murine models with normal immune system (estrogen-treated mice) and immunosuppressed murine model, and between primary infection model of vaginal candidiasis and secondary infection one. The average level of colony forming unit (CFU) from the immuosuppressed group was higher than that from estrogen-treated group at each time point and the peak time was delayed. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05) from the fourth day after inoculation. A significant difference existed in the average level of CFU between the control group and the estrogen-treated group (P < 0.05), and between the control group and the immuosuppressed group (P < 0.01). It was concluded that the vaginal mucosa from the immunosuppressed mice is more susceptible to Candida albicans and no difference is found in susceptibility between mice with primary infection and secondary infection.