An experimental model of gastrointestinal candidiasis.

Intestinal absorption of arbutin (p-hydroxyphenyl-beta-glucoside), a non-metabolised analogue of d-glucose, and net flux of water out of the small intestinal lumen were found to be decreased in vitro in rats fed with Candida albicans. In rats on a protein-deficient diet and fed C. albicans there was net secretion of water. Sugar uptake and net water transport were also impaired in infected animals in vivo. These abnormalities were present although there was no histological evidence of invasion of the small-intestinal mucosa by C. albicans. The findings suggest that C. albicans has significant enteric pathogenicity and that this is particularly important in malnutrition.