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Cutaneous cryptococcosis in athymic and beige-athymic mice
1Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53706.
Infection and Immunity
|May 1, 1991
Summary
T-cell deficient mice develop cutaneous cryptococcosis when infected with Cryptococcus neoformans. Protease production by the yeast may contribute to its ability to invade skin tissues.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
- The ability of C. neoformans to cause skin infections (dermotropism) is not fully understood.
- Immune deficiencies, particularly T-cell deficiencies, are known risk factors for cryptococcosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dermotropism of Cryptococcus neoformans in T-cell deficient mouse models.
- To explore the role of host immune response and fungal virulence factors in cutaneous cryptococcosis.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous challenge of congenitally athymic (nu/nu) and doubly immunodeficient beige-athymic (bg/bg-nu/nu) mice with encapsulated C. neoformans.
- Macroscopic and histopathological examination of skin lesions.
- In vitro assessment of fungal protease production.
Main Results:
- Both mouse models developed cutaneous cryptococcosis within 7-12 days.
- Histopathology revealed extensive yeast invasion of dermal and subcutaneous tissues with minimal inflammatory response.
- Degradation of dermal collagen by yeast cells was observed, correlating with in vitro protease production.
Conclusions:
- T-cell deficiency facilitates the dermotropic potential of Cryptococcus neoformans.
- Fungal proteases are implicated as potential virulence factors in the development of cutaneous lesions.