Experimental aspergillosis in guinea pigs: influence of itraconazole on fungaemia and invasive fungal growth.
The guinea pig model of experimental aspergillosis was used to evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole 2.5 and 5 mg kg-1 in preventing the invasive phase of the disease when animals were already loaded with Aspergillus conidia. Evaluations were made by recording the survival rates, culturing fragments of nine organs, examining seven organs by means of histochemistry and immunohistochemistry (mAb EB-A1 to Aspergillus galactomannan) and by serological titration of galactomannan. The data indicate that itraconazole is highly effective in preventing true invasive aspergillosis. Serological evaluations of antigenaemia suggest that low titres may only reflect fungaemia, while titres of 1:8 and above are suggestive of invasive disease.
Department of Dermatopathology, University of Liège, Belgium.
J E
JE
Arrese
P
P
Delvenne
J
J
Van Cutsem
C
C
Piérard-Franchimont
G E
GE
Piérard
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D017964:Itraconazole