Induction of candidal vaginitis in diabetic mice and attempts to prevent the infection

In the present study on the induction and prevention of candidal vaginal infection in diabetic mice, ICR female mice were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injections of 160 mg kg^-1 streptozotocin (SZ) which induced a stable non-lethal diabetic state apparent 2-7 days post-SZ injection. Diabetic mice and non-diabetic controls were inoculated intravaginally with 10⁷-10¹⁰Candida albicans yeasts. Infection was evaluated by the number of infected mice 3 days post-inoculation and the rate of clearance of infection during a 35-day follow-up. All C. albicans doses investigated induced vaginal infection in the diabetic mice, while in the non-diabetic controls only 40% of those inoculated with the lower (10⁷ CFU) dose developed infection. The yeast load in the diabetic mice was 10-fold higher than in the controls and the duration of infection was longer. In an attempt to prevent infection intravaginal treatment with 5-40 mg of a chitin derivative (CSE) mouse^-1 was given prior and pre- and post-inoculation with C. albicans. The optimal CSE treatment regimen was both pre- and post-administration of 10 or 20 mg CSE mouse^-1 which significantly reduced the number of infected animals and also the duration of infection.