Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
Establishing a Severe Corneal Inflammation Model in Rats Based on Corneal Epithelium Curettage Combined with Corneal Sutures
Published on: November 22, 2024
Experimental model of Fusarium solani keratitis in rats
Jiang-Li Zhu1, Xin-Rui Gao, Hong-Ping Cui
1Shanghai 10 People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.
Aim:
To establish a repeatable rat model of Fusarium solani keratitis (F. solani keratitis) that mimicked fungal keratitis in humans.
Methods:
Wistar rats' corneas were scratched on the superficial stroma after scraping the unilateral corneal epithelia. Then, the corneal surface was inoculated with different inoculum dose of F. solani spore suspension. Doses ranged from 10(6) to 10(9) colony-forming unit per milliliter (CFU/mL). The treated corneas were covered by contact lenses that were made of Parafilm M membrane. Negative controls were inoculated with sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). For statistical analysis, corneas were evaluated daily on a 12-point scale to check the state of corneal inflammation. Furthermore, the pathological characteristics of this model were investigated.
Results:
The rat model of F. solani keratitis was established by the combination methods of corneal trauma and parafilm-made contact lens and inoculation of fungus spore suspension. 10(6) and 10(7)CFU/mL of F. solani induced mild corneal infection, while 10(8)CFU/mL of F. solani was sufficient to induce moderate infection that was consistent with human keratomycosis. Dose of 10(9)CFU/mL of F. solani was excessive and led to perforated corneas.
Conclusion:
The rat model of F. solani keratitis, established by the combinational methods of corneal trauma, parafilm-made contact lens and the appropriate dose of inoculum, that imitates the developing processes of F. solani keratitis in human beings and provides a repeatable method of creating a rat model.
Insights
Researchers developed a reliable rat model for Fusarium solani keratitis, mimicking human fungal keratitis. This model uses corneal trauma, a parafilm contact lens, and specific fungal spore doses for accurate disease simulation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fungal keratitis is a significant cause of vision loss worldwide.
- Fusarium solani is a common fungal pathogen responsible for severe keratitis.
- Developing reliable animal models is crucial for studying fungal keratitis pathogenesis and testing treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reproducible Wistar rat model of Fusarium solani keratitis.
- To mimic the clinical and pathological features of human fungal keratitis.
- To determine optimal inoculum doses of F. solani for model induction.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats underwent corneal epithelial scraping and superficial stromal scratching.
- Corneas were inoculated with F. solani spore suspensions ranging from 10^6 to 10^9 CFU/mL.
- Parafilm-made contact lenses were applied, and corneas were assessed daily for inflammation and pathology.
Main Results:
- A repeatable rat model of F. solani keratitis was successfully established.
- Inoculum doses of 10^6 and 10^7 CFU/mL resulted in mild corneal infections.
- A dose of 10^8 CFU/mL induced moderate infection, consistent with human keratomycosis; 10^9 CFU/mL caused corneal perforation.
Conclusions:
- The developed rat model accurately imitates the progression of human Fusarium solani keratitis.
- The combination of corneal trauma, parafilm contact lens, and appropriate F. solani inoculum is effective.
- This model provides a repeatable method for studying fungal keratitis in vivo.
