Experimental murine chromomycosis mimicking chronic progressive human disease

ABSTRACT

Congenitally athymic (nu/nu) mice, mice defective in NK cell and macrophage function (bg/bg) and normal BALB/c mice were inoculated sc with 10 5-6 conidia of Fonsecae pedrosoi (FP). In immunologically intact and immunodeficient mice, a local infection developed approximately 2 weeks post-inoculation and enlarged over 1-2 weeks. In bg/bg and normal nu/+ mice, lesions resolved within 5-6 weeks. However, nu/nu mice continued to have enlarging cs lesions during >4-6 months od observation. These eventually metastasized. Lesions contained, few hyphal elements and massive numbers of sclerotic bodies. Five weeks after inoculation. 10 4-6 conidia froming units/gm of tissue were recovered from lesions. Delayed type hypersensitivity and serum antibody to FP antigens were demonstrated. Adoptive transfer of lymphocytes from nu/+ mice was followed in months bu the resolution of the lesions