Experimental sporotrichosis in Syrian hamsters

Abstract

Syrian hamsters were infected with Sporothrix schenckii by subcutaneous footpad inoculation. Two types of infection could be uniformly induced: a selflimited, lymphatic infection resembling the classical disease in humans, and a generalized nonfatal infection. An infecting dose of approximately 5,300 yeast cells produced the localized subcutaneous-lymphatic disease which was limited to a single limb. In contrast, a 1,000-fold increase in the inoculum temporarily overwhelmed the animals' defense mechanisms, producing a systemic infection involving the liver and spleen. These models were used to demonstrate the development of increased resistance to subsequent infection following either infection or active immunization with ribosomal fractions or trypsinized cell wall antigens of S. schenckii incorporated in Freund complete adjuvant. Agglutination titers were detectable in all animals that were either infected or immunized. In one group of infected animals, the titers persisted for at least 1 year after three booster doses of Formalin-killed S. schenckii. The ability to produce an infection in hamsters which closely resembles the disease seen in humans makes this animal a good model with which to study experimental sporotrichosis.

Sporothrix schenckii and related species of Ceratocystis.

“…Simulation of the lymphatic disease of humans was attempted in Syrian hamsters by cutaneous footpad inoculation (29). The infection was of a self-limited, lymphatic form, or, if the inoculum was increased 1,000-fold, a systemic, nonfatal form developed, involving the liver and spleen.…”

A cell wall protein-based vaccine candidate induce protective immune response against Sporothrix schenckii infection

“…For decades, a variety of cell wall proteins (CWPs) from many different pathogenic fungi have been evaluated in mouse models of vaccination for assessment of their immunogenicity, safety and protection-affording potential (Edwards, 2012). Several authors have reported the development of a specific immune response and increased resistance to subsequent infection following either a previous infection or active immunization with S. schenckii CWPs (ssCWPs) or whole cells (Charoenvit and Taylor, 1979;Tachibana et al, 1999).…”

Different virulence levels of the species of Sporothrix in a murine model

“…Different models, including subcutaneous and intravenous infection in mice [13,14] and subcutaneous infection in hamsters [15], have been used in virulence studies on sporothrichosis. The use of animal models has demonstrated differences in virulence between isolates from environmental and clinical sources as well as differences between isolates of similar origin.…”