Cutaneous murine model of infection caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum: a preliminary study of an emerging human pathogen.

Neoscytalidium dimidiatum is an emerging fungus that causes a skin infection similar to dermatophytosis; it affects both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals, and it may invade deeper tissues and organs and cause systemic disease. Little is known about the etiopathogenesis of the infection caused by this fungus, and no standard effective treatment is available. The aim of the present experimental study was to develop an animal model of skin infection with N. dimidiatum. BALB/c mice were inoculated with two fungal strains, and different routes of infection were tested. When challenged intradermally, N. dimidiatum strain HUPE164165 caused skin infection in 67% of the animals whereas strain HUPE115669 did it in 49%. Neoscytalidium dimidiatum was isolated from the skin of 25% of the animals inoculated via epidermal scarification and from 100% of the animals challenged via subcutaneous injection. Mice inoculated intradermally were followed-up during four weeks, and clinical samples were collected on days 3, 8, 15, and 29 after inoculation, corresponding to different stages of infection. The cutaneous infection rate, as measured by the recovery of N. dimidiatum strain HUPE164165 from skin biopsies of animals inoculated intradermally, revealed the presence of infection in 90% of the animals sacrificed at 3 days post-inoculation, 71% at 8, 85% at 15, and 33% at 29. Conidia and hyphae were observed in PAS-stained sections as well as a mild to moderate inflammatory infiltrate in haematoxylin-eosin, although it did not differ from animals inoculated either with T. quinckeanum or PBS. The intradermal route of inoculation was considered to be suitable for the study of skin infection with N. dimidiatum The animal model developed in this preliminary study is the first to allow the study of cutaneous infection with N. dimidiatum and may contribute to further investigations of the aetiology, immunology, pathogenesis and treatment targeting this emerging mycosis.

Rejuvenation of periorbital area: treatment with an injectable nonanimal non-crosslinked glycerol added hyaluronic acid preparation.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic approaches to aging of the periorbital region are unique because of the delicacy of the anatomical structures and the possibility of adverse events. The synthesis of hyaluronic acid (HA) and other components responsible for skin hydration and elasticity diminish with age. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an injectable product containing non-crosslinked HA of nonanimal origin in association with glycerol to treat aging of the periorbital region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pilot study in which 20 women were administered three monthly superficial intradermal injections of non-crosslinked HA of nonanimal origin containing glycerol in the periorbital area. The clinical results consisted of the evaluation of three researchers and an independent evaluator and the degree of posttreatment patient satisfaction. RESULTS: An improvement of between 25% and 50% in skin brightness, texture, and turgor was observed in the periorbital area. Papules were present after each application, and hematoma was the longest lasting effect. All adverse events were reversible and well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Injections of HA of nonanimal origin, in association with glycerol, using a micropuncture technique are well tolerated and can improve skin brightness and turgor and reduce roughness in the periorbital region.