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[Establishing an experimental guinea pig model of dermatophytosis Using Trichophyton rubrum]
Xian-Jin Chen1, Yong-Nian Shen, Gui-Xia Lü
1Department of Fungal Skin Disease, Institute of Dermatology, CAMS and PUMC, Nanjing 210042, China.
Objective:
To construct an animal model infected by Trichophyton rubrum.
Methods:
Three different strains of Trichophyton rubrum were separated from clinical specimen for the infection of guinea pigs. Corticosteroids were given before and after the construction of animal model to facilitate the infection. Direct microscopy, culture, and histopathologic methods were adopted to verify the construction.
Results:
Ten days after the inoculation of Trichophyton rubrum, with the intervention of corticosteroid, the guinea pigs were examined. Prominent scales and inflammation could be seen on the inoculation site of the Trichophyton rubrum infected guinea pig. Scales and hairs of Trichophyton rubrum infected guinea pig dealt with 10% potassium hydroxide, hypha out of the hair and microconidia or hypha in the hair shaft could be seen. Seven days after the inoculation of scales and hair on SDA plate, cultures of Trichophyton rubrum showed that the colonial morphology were identical to the original dermatophytes. PAS staining of infected guinea pig skin tissue showed that hypha and microconidia could be seen in the infundibula and hair root.
Conclusion:
With the intervention of corticosteroid, a stable guinea pig model infected by Trichophyton rubrum were successfully constructed.
Insights
A new guinea pig model for Trichophyton rubrum infection was successfully developed. Corticosteroids aided in establishing a stable infection, confirmed by microscopy and culture, aiding dermatophyte research.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Veterinary Pathology
- Dermatology
Context:
- Trichophyton rubrum is a common cause of superficial fungal infections.
- Developing reliable animal models is crucial for studying dermatophytosis.
- Previous models may lack stability or fail to fully replicate human infections.
Purpose:
- To establish a reproducible animal model of Trichophyton rubrum infection in guinea pigs.
- To utilize corticosteroids to enhance susceptibility and infection establishment.
- To validate the model through various diagnostic methods.
Summary:
- Three strains of Trichophyton rubrum were used to infect guinea pigs.
- Corticosteroids were administered pre- and post-inoculation to facilitate infection.
- Infection was confirmed via direct microscopy, fungal culture, and histopathology.
- Microscopic examination revealed characteristic hyphae and microconidia.
- Culture results showed colonial morphology identical to the original strains.
- Histopathology confirmed fungal elements within hair follicles and skin.
Impact:
- Provides a stable and reliable animal model for Trichophyton rubrum research.
- Facilitates in vivo studies of antifungal efficacy and pathogenesis.
- Contributes to a better understanding of dermatophytosis.
- Supports the development of novel therapeutic strategies for fungal skin infections.
