Comparison of the pathogenicities of Fusarium solani and Candida albicans in the rabbit cornea.

The pathogenicity of F. solani was compared with that of Candida albicans in experimental keratitis in rabbits. F. solani was inoculated into the right eye of each rabbit, and C. albicans into the left eye. The corneal lesions in both eyes were examined by slit lamp every day for 3 weeks and the severity of infections compared clinically and histopathologically. F. solani produced significantly more severe clinical infection in the cornea, compared to C. albicans. Histopathologically, F. solani appeared to spread more rapidly, enter the anterior chamber more easily, and produce a more severe inflammatory reaction in the cornea, compared to C. albicans.