The rat model of vaginal infection was established based on modified models described previously [25– 2 7] to obtain a chronic and homogeneous infection. Animals were immunosuppressed by administration of one dose of cyclophosphamide (CPA) (Sigma ® , 20 mg/kg b.w.) and estrus was induced by subcutaneous administration of estradiol (Sigma ® ) at a dose of 0.2 mg/ml once daily for 4 days before infection. Rats were inoculated intravaginally (day 0) with 0.1 ml of C. albicans (NCPF 3153) (5.0 10 7 yeast/ml) [17], using a micropipette with disposable tips. On day 2, 6, and 10 after the infection, the vaginal load of C. albicans was evaluated through vaginal lavage with 0.1 ml of PBS, and determined by the CFU assay on SDA [28]. At day 10 the animals were euthanatized and vaginas were longitudinally removed. All vaginal sections were stained with Hematoxilin-Eosin (HE) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and visualized by light microscopy.