[Species characteristics of experimental Candida lung lesions]

Intratracheal challenge of rabbits and intranasal challenge of white mice and guinea-pigs by C. albicans without the application of adhesive substances, produced candidiasis pneumonia running more severe course in mice than in rabbits. In guinea-pigs the disease was of medium severity. Specific features of pulmonary inflammation in rabbits were marked polynuclear and especially macrophage reactions, with the phagocyte activity high enough to ensure total elimination of pathogenic microorganisms in the animal. In white mice a weak macrophage reaction was actually a background for a predominant polynuclear reaction producing a massive polynuclear leukocyte disintegration. These processes, though eliminating pathogenic organisms both by phagocytosis and non-phagocytic mechanisms, lead to severe fatal pulmonary edema. Specific differences in experimental lung candidiasis reveal various manifestation of human lung candidiasis.