Ultrastructure and possible processes involved in the invasion of host epithelial cells by Candida albicans in vaginal candidosis.

Ultrastructural studies of Candida albicans in its invasive form obtained from lesions of patients with vaginal candidosis confirm that growth is intracellular. The invading hyphae show well defined organelles including a denticulate double-layered plasma membrane, nuclei, cristate mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and storage granules, especially when osmium tetroxide was used as the sole fixative for electron microscopy. The invasion of host epithelial cells is probably brought about by a combination of enzymatic, physical and mechanical processes.