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A Murine Model of Dermatophytosis
Sunna Nabeela1, Neha Agrawal2, Priya Uppuluri1,3
1Institute for Infection and Immunity, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, California.
Abstract:
Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that cause superficial infections of the skin, hair, and nails. The emergence of recalcitrant infections caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex and T. indotineae, particularly in diabetic patients, has heightened the need for reproducible small-animal models to study disease pathogenesis and test antifungal therapies. Here, we describe a diabetic mouse model of dermatophytosis that faithfully mimics human infection. The protocol details (1) preparation of dermatophyte conidial inocula from laboratory or clinical isolates, (2) pharmacological induction of diabetes or immunosuppression in mice, (3) standardized infection of abraded dorsal skin, and (4) downstream assessments of fungal burden and pathology, including clinical evaluation and scoring, enumeration of colony-forming units, and histopathology. Critical parameters, troubleshooting guidance, and anticipated results are provided to ensure reproducibility. This system has been successfully applied to evaluate conventional and investigational antifungal drugs and can be readily adapted for emerging resistant species such as T. indotineae. By integrating diabetic predisposition with current epidemiological trends, this model provides a clinically relevant and cost-effective platform for dermatophyte research and antifungal development. © 2026 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of dermatophyte inoculum Basic Protocol 2: Establishment of immunosuppressed or diabetic mouse models of dermatophytosis.
Insights
A new diabetic mouse model accurately mimics human dermatophytosis, aiding the study of fungal skin infections and antifungal drug development for recalcitrant cases.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Animal Models
Background:
- Dermatophytes cause superficial fungal infections.
- Recalcitrant infections by Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex and T. indotineae are increasing, especially in diabetic patients.
- There is a need for reliable small-animal models to study these infections and test treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a diabetic mouse model for dermatophytosis.
- To provide a reproducible platform for studying fungal pathogenesis and evaluating antifungal therapies.
- To address the challenge of emerging resistant fungal species.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of dermatophyte conidial inocula.
- Pharmacological induction of diabetes or immunosuppression in mice.
- Standardized infection of abraded dorsal skin.
- Assessment of fungal burden and pathology (clinical scoring, CFU counts, histopathology).
Main Results:
- The model faithfully mimics human dermatophytosis.
- The protocol ensures reproducibility through critical parameter guidance.
- The model has been successfully used to evaluate antifungal drugs.
Conclusions:
- This diabetic mouse model offers a clinically relevant and cost-effective platform for dermatophyte research.
- The model is adaptable for studying emerging resistant species like T. indotineae.
- It facilitates the development of new antifungal strategies.
