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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Establishing a Porcine Ex Vivo Cornea Model for Studying Drug Treatments against Bacterial Keratitis
Published on: May 12, 2020
Animal model of Fusarium solani keratitis
Abstract:
Because of the frequency of fungal keratitis due to Fusarium solani, we needed a sustained, progressive infection in an animal model to determine the mechanisms of pathogenicity and to evaluate the new antifungal agents. Pigmented rabbits interlamellarly injected with actively germinating conidia from lyophilized temperature-tolerant strains of F. solani produced sustained culture-positive ulcers in high percentage of eyes at two and three weeks, pretreatment with subconjunctival corticosteroids was necessary. Histopathology, although a poor index of infectivity since some corneas with plentiful hyphal fragments had negative cultures, simulated human fungal pathology.
Insights
Researchers developed a rabbit model for Fusarium solani fungal keratitis, essential for studying pathogenicity and testing new antifungal drugs. This model successfully created sustained infections, mimicking human fungal eye disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fusarium solani is a frequent cause of fungal keratitis.
- Understanding its pathogenicity and developing effective treatments requires a suitable animal model.
- Current models may not fully replicate sustained, progressive infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a rabbit model for sustained Fusarium solani fungal keratitis.
- To investigate the mechanisms of pathogenicity in fungal keratitis.
- To evaluate the efficacy of novel antifungal agents.
Main Methods:
- Pigmented rabbits were interlamellarly injected with actively germinating conidia of temperature-tolerant F. solani strains.
- Subconjunctival corticosteroids were administered as pretreatment.
- Infection was assessed via culture and histopathology at two and three weeks.
Main Results:
- A high percentage of eyes developed sustained, culture-positive ulcers.
- Pretreatment with corticosteroids was necessary for infection development.
- Histopathology findings simulated human fungal keratitis, though culture results varied.
Conclusions:
- A pigmented rabbit model effectively replicates sustained Fusarium solani fungal keratitis.
- This model is valuable for studying pathogenicity mechanisms.
- The model can be utilized for evaluating new antifungal therapies.
