Experimental Urinary Tract Infection in Rats Caused by Candida albicans

Abstract

The increased clinical use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppressives, and anti-inflammatory agents is thought to have contributed to the increased incidence of renal infections due to Candida albicans. To aid in the search for improved anticandidal agents, we developed an experimental model in which C. albicans is injected into the medulla of the surgically exposed kidney of the rat. The ensuing infection is restricted to the urinary tract and can be treated successfully with amphotericin B. This model promises to be of merit in the evaluation of agents potentially useful in treating candidiasis of the urinary tract.

Candidal Urinary Tract Infections: A Comprehensive Review of Their Diagnosis and Management

“…l~ l6 38 Contrary to overwhelming evidence of this, however, limited human data suggest the disorder could develop from an ascending infection. 44 45 The facts that hematogenous candidiasis occurs equally in both sexes, yet the frequency of renal candidiasis is higher in females, supports this possibility.20 Furthermore, renal candidiasis has been produced in animals by inoculating the bladder with C. a l b i~a n s .~~ In addition, the urinary tract can be the source for a secondary f u ngemi a.39. [46][47][48][49][50][51] In a retrospective surveillance of hospital-acquired fungemia, positive urine cultures were obtained prior to the development of several blood cultures positive for fungi in 58% of patients.4g In more recent surveys of fungemia, the urinary tract was the portal of entry in only about 8%.50.51…”