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Fig. 5 | BMC Microbiology

Fig. 5

From: Nystatin enhances the immune response against Candida albicans and protects the ultrastructure of the vaginal epithelium in a rat model of vulvovaginal candidiasis

Fig. 5

Ultrastructure of the vaginal epithelium in the control group and untreated 4 d and 8 d sub-groups in the early stages of C. albicans infection. a, Rats in the control group show normal vaginal morphology with a non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Magnification × 3000. b, Adjacent VECs were bounded together by desmosomes and mitochondria (arrow) with normal morphology were observed in VECs from control rats. Magnification × 15,000. c, A large number of neutrophils (arrow) infiltrate into the vaginal epithelium after C. albicans infection. Magnification × 6000. d, Mitochondria (arrow) in VECs are mildly or moderately swollen with irregularly arranged cristae and decreased matrix density. Magnification × 30,000. e, VEC pseudopods enveloped yeasts. Arrows indicate yeasts integrated with VECs. Magnification × 30,000. f, Yeasts (arrow) invaded into the superficial layers of the vaginal mucosa. Magnification × 25,000. g, C. albicans hyphae (arrow) observed on the surface of the vaginal epithelium. Magnification × 15,000. h, A hypha penetrated into fiber-like keratinized materials of the VEC surface. Magnification × 30,000

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BMC Microbiology

ISSN: 1471-2180

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