An Experimental Model for Evaluation of Antifungal Agents in a <i>Trichophyton mentagrophytes </i>Infection of Guinea Pigs

Abstract

A Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection of guinea pigs induced by an occlusive procedure is described. The method of evaluation permits comparison of efficacy of antifungal agents which are not tested simultaneously. Activity was demonstrated following topical application of clotrimazole, miconazole, tolnaftate or griseofulvin and oral administration of griseofulvin. Oral ketoconazole had little effect in this dermatophyte model.

Animal Model of Dermatophytosis

“…In addition to the selection of fungi, pre- or posttreatment included occlusion and abrasion [23, 34, 37, 38, 42, 47, 51, 56]. Each occlusion method after inoculation of fungi was reported as follows: covered with ointment [56], covered by a sheet of polyethylene film with an impermeable plastic tape for 24 hr [34], moistened gauze pad with Teflon between 24 hr and 72 hr [38, 39, 42], covered with a glass fiber filter [37], or covered with a chamber [51].…”

“…Each occlusion method after inoculation of fungi was reported as follows: covered with ointment [56], covered by a sheet of polyethylene film with an impermeable plastic tape for 24 hr [34], moistened gauze pad with Teflon between 24 hr and 72 hr [38, 39, 42], covered with a glass fiber filter [37], or covered with a chamber [51]. The occlusion method was suitable for the tinea corporis model because it was closer to natural infection and achieved high reproducibility [61].…”

“…The tinea corporis animal model was used to estimate the efficacy of antifungal agents like bifonazole [21, 22, 25, 26, 35, 46, 52], clotrimazole [22, 23, 25, 35, 37, 40, 46, 52], miconazole [37, 44], tolnaftate [12, 22, 25, 37, 40], griseofulvin [28, 29, 37, 40, 65], ketoconazole [12, 18, 20, 29, 37, 40], omoconazole [32, 36], terbinafine [26, 29, 40, 41, 47, 48, 50, 58, 65], econazole [40], butenafine [22, 23, 33], naftifine [22], itraconazole [20, 27, 41, 50, 51, 59, 65], amorolfine [21, 65], sertaconazole [44], saperconazole [24], latoconazole [25], fluconazole [27, 28, 31, 41, 65], SCH 39304 [31, 54], lanoconazole [30, 33, 48], mupirocin [18], laudamonium [17], KP-103 [33], neticonazole [33], R126638 [59], voriconazole [57], ciclopirox [58], pramiconazole [50], luliconazole [48], and Astragalus verus Olivier [45]. …”

Biology and Diseases of Guinea Pigs

“…6.12), hair, and nails and occur most often in young guinea pigs or in guinea pigs genetically predisposed, stressed, pregnant, malnourished, diseased, or living in unsanitary conditions (Kraemer et al, 2012). The irregularly shaped areas of alopecia, scaling, crusting, and reddening may extend to the back and sides but rarely to the limbs (Valiant and Frost, 1984;Pollock, 2003;Kraemer et al, 2013). Lesions in 'hairless' guinea pig strains resemble more closely those in human skin (Hänel et al, 1990).…”

“…Treatment If treatment of this zoonotic disease is pursued, drugs that may be used include griseofulvin 25 mg/kg PO q24 h for 2 weeks past resolution of clinical signs, topical 1.5% griseofulvin in dimethyl sulfoxide solution for 5-7 days, 1% tolnaftate topically, or butenafine topically for 10 days (Post and Saunders, 1979;Valiant and Frost, 1984;Hoppmann and Barron, 2007). Oral griseofulvin is absorbed poorly in the intestine unless given with a high-fat meal, and the drug is teratogenic.…”