['The principal aim of this study was to investigate the in\xa0vitro co-infection of a reconstituted human vaginal epithelium (RHVE) by Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.', 'The ability of both species to invade and colonise the RHVE was examined using species-specific peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe hybridisation, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and a novel qRT-PCR protocol for Candida quantification in the tissues. RHVE damage was evaluated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Candida virulence gene expression (HWP1, ALS, EPA, PLB, PLD and SAP) was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR.', 'The results showed that whilst both species induced damage to the RHVE, this was notably less with C. glabrata. Interestingly, there was a significant increase in C. glabrata RHVE colonisation and invasiveness when it was added to the tissue with C. albicans. The extent of RHVE damage caused by the two species appeared to be primarily dependent on the process of invasion. Of the virulence genes assayed, HWP1, PLD1 and ALS3 were deemed to be most associated with pathogenicity in the model.'] Does candida albicans promote invasion and colonisation of Candida glabrata in a reconstituted human vaginal epithelium?