An experimental model of ascending pyelonephritis due toCandida albicans in rats

We developed a new experimental model of ascendingCandida pyelonephritis in female rats with leukopenia and vesicoureteral reflux. Rats were treated transperitoneally with cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) to induce leukopenia 3 days before and transurethrally with diluted acetic acid solution to induce vesicoureteral reflux 1 day before inoculation ofCandida albicans strain, ATCC 10259 (containing 10⁷ cells). Microscopy revealed acute pyelonephritis in whichCandida cells invaded from the fornix and/or papilla into the medulla within 3 days after inoculation. Between 7 and 28 days after inoculation, chronic pyelonephritis reached the cortex. The incidence of pyelonephritis increased gradually and was approximately 80% after 7 days.Candida colony counts of bladder urine specimens obtained by direct puncture were significantly greater in rats with pyelonephritis extending into the parenchyma than in those with pyelonephritis located along the pelvis (p<0.01). These results suggest that this rat model shows the characteristic feature of ascending pyelonephritis due toC. albicans and that the severity ofCandida pyelonephritis can be estimated fromCandida counts of bladder urine.