Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2026

In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
18:48

In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients

Published on: August 12, 2017

Immunosuppression affects the severity of experimental Fusarium solani keratitis

Tzu G Wu1, Victor V Keasler, Bradley M Mitchell

  • 1Sid W. Richardson Ocular Microbiology Laboratory, Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|June 15, 2004
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes a mouse model for corneal fusariosis, demonstrating that immunosuppression enhances Fusarium solani keratitis development and progression, aiding infection evaluation.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Mycology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Corneal fusariosis is a severe fungal keratitis.
  • Current models for studying Fusarium solani keratitis are limited.
  • Understanding fungal pathogenesis is crucial for treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish and validate a mouse model for corneal fusariosis.
  • To evaluate the role of immunosuppression in Fusarium solani keratitis.
  • To enable in vivo and in vitro assessment of fungal keratitis.

Main Methods:

  • BALB/c mice (immunocompetent and cyclophosphamide-treated) were inoculated with Fusarium solani after corneal scarification.
  • Ocular scoring for disease severity was performed daily for 8 days and at 2 weeks.
  • Fungal load was quantified via microbial culturing, and histopathology was conducted on corneal tissues.

Main Results:

  • A dose-response relationship was observed in cyclophosphamide-treated mice.
  • Cyclophosphamide treatment increased disease severity and delayed fungal clearance.
  • Histopathology revealed fungal hyphae, inflammatory cells, and stromal edema correlating with disease severity.

Conclusions:

  • A mouse model for corneal fusariosis was successfully established.
  • Immunosuppression facilitates the induction and progression of Fusarium solani keratitis.
  • This model allows for comprehensive evaluation of fungal keratitis in vivo and in vitro.

More Related Videos

Murine Corneal Transplantation: A Model to Study the Most Common Form of Solid Organ Transplantation09:03

Murine Corneal Transplantation: A Model to Study the Most Common Form of Solid Organ Transplantation

Published on: November 17, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...