Differences in development of keratomycosis after Candida inoculation in the central and peripheral cornea.

To compare the development of keratomycosis after central or peripheral corneal inoculation, Candida albicans was inoculated in the central portion of the right eyes of 24 rabbits and in the peripheral cornea, near the limbus, of the left eyes in the same rabbits. The clinical scores of the central ulcers were significantly higher than those of the peripheral lesions. On the 12th day after inoculation, all cultures of corneal specimens from the peripheral ulcers were negative, while 10 cultures from the central ulcers were still positive. Histopathologic examination showed earlier and more extensive inflammatory reactions in eyes with peripheral lesions, compared with those in eyes with central lesions.