Infection of human fetal membranes in vitro with Candida albicans.

The present study was designed to examine whether C. albicans could infect and penetrate through intact human fetal membranes in vitro. Fragments of fresh fetal membranes were obtained from pregnant women undergoing a cesarean section. C. albicans was inoculated onto the surface of the maternal side of the membranes, after which the inoculated tissue were incubated at 31 degrees C. C. albicans was able to infect and penetrate through the membranes into the fetal side within 24 h of incubation.