Pathogenesis of the Candida parapsilosis Complex in the Model Host Caenorhabditis elegans.

is a valuable tool as an infection model toward the study of species. In this work, we endeavored to develop a . - infection model by using the fungi as a food source. Three species of the C. parapsilosis complex ( (), and ) caused infection resulting in killing. All three strains that comprised the complex significantly diminished the nematode lifespan, indicating the virulence of the pathogens against the host. The infection process included invasion of the intestine and vulva which resulted in organ protrusion and hyphae formation. Importantly, hyphae formation at the vulva opening was not previously reported in . - infections. Fungal infected worms in the liquid assay were susceptible to fluconazole and caspofungin and could be found to mount an immune response mediated through increased expression of -, -, and /. Overall, the . -. infection model can be used to model . host-pathogen interactions.