Murine mycotic placentitis produced by intravenous inoculation of conidia from Aspergillus fumigatus.
Primipregnant BALB/cABom mice were challenged intravenously with 1 x 10(5) Aspergillus fumigatus conidia on day 10 of pregnancy. Histopathological examination of the foeto-placental units and extrauterine organs from the mice revealed hyphal growth restricted to the foeto-placental unit. In the foeto-placental unit the growth of hyphae was first established on Reicher's membrane next to the periphery of the placental disc. Subsequently hyphae spread along and through the extrafoetal membranes, finally reaching the foetus. In the terminal stage of infection mycosis also ensued in the placental discs. In conclusion, A. fumigatus was found to have a propensity for infecting the murine foeto-placental unit, resulting in mycotic placentitis. This series of events seems comparable to the progression of the spontaneous disease in cattle. Consequently, the pregnant mouse seems applicable as an animal model for the study of mycotic placentitis due to A. fumigatus, which in most countries is of great importance in cattle breeding.
Jensen
H E
HE
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Hau
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010920:Placenta / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology