EXPERIMENTAL VAGINAL AND CUTANEOUS MONILIASIS

Abstract

Infection of the vagina and vulva with Monilia has been established as a definite pathologic and clinical entity by a number of recent investigations. The experimental production of the condition in human hosts by Hesseltine, Borts and Plass¹has confirmed the etiologic rôle of yeastlike fungi of the genus Monilia as the causative agents. In a series of independent experiments we have substantiated the results obtained by these authors in their essential details. In addition, this investigation has concerned itself with the determination of fundamental factors in host and pathogen which influence or modify the production of monilial vulvovaginitis. Clinical experience and theoretical considerations have led us to believe that with the alteration of certain local and general factors in the host multiplication of monilias which may have been present in the vagina in small numbers is favored. Furthermore, since we have recovered monilias in a considerable percentage of