[Estimation of infection by Aspergillus fumigatus in mice infected experimentally by the respiratory route]. / Estimación de la infección por Aspergillus fumigatus en ratones infectados experimentalmente por vía respiratoria.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate a new chitin detection technique for the quantification of Aspergillus fumigatus infection in organs from air-borne infected mice. METHODS: Different groups of mice were air-borne infected with A. fumigatus spores. The mortality rate was studied as well as the extension of the infection by means of colony counts (UFC) and quantification of chitin . RESULTS: The inhalation of A. fumigatus spores by non-immunosuppressed mice produces a 34% mortality rate, with an initial invasion of lung tissue followed by the spleen, kidneys, heart and liver thereafter. CONCLUSION: The quantification of chitin in involved organs allowed us to estimate the degree of organ-specific fungal infections and perhaps could be an useful method for studying the pathogenesis of A. fumigatus infections.