An optimized protocol for <i>Candida albicans</i> infection in <i>Schmidtea mediterranea</i> to study fungal pathogenesis and host defense

We present an optimized and detailed protocol for using the planarian <i>Schmidtea mediterranea</i> as a model system to study host-pathogen interactions during fungal infection. This method builds on our previous procedure for infecting planarians with the human fungal pathogen <i>Candida albicans</i> , providing detailed guidance to enhance reproducibility and experimental consistency. The system enables comprehensive, parallel analysis of both host and pathogen responses throughout infection - from initial colonization and disease progression to diverse host outcomes, including clearance or mortality.