title: Relevant Animal Models in Dermatophyte Research.
abstract: Dermatophytoses are common superficial fungal infections affecting both humans and animals. They are provoked by filamentous fungi called dermatophytes specialized in the degradation of keratinized structures, which allows them to induce skin, hair and nail infections. Despite their high incidence, little investigation has been performed for the understanding of these infections compared to fungal opportunistic infections and most of the studies were based on in vitro experiments. The development of animal models for dermatophyte research is required to evaluate new treatments against dermatophytoses or to increase knowledge about fungal pathogenicity factors or host immune response mechanisms. The guinea pig has been the most often used animal model to evaluate efficacy of antifungal compounds against dermatophytes, while mouse models were preferred to study the immune response generated during the disease. Here, we review the relevant animal models that were developed for dermatophyte research and we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the selected species, especially guinea pig and mouse.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Mycology, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 6, B-43a, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ludivine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cambier
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Mycology, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 6, B-43a, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marie-Pierre
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Heinen
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Mycology, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 6, B-43a, 4000, Liège, Belgium. bmignon@ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mignon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000276:immunology*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents
keywords: Animal model; Antifungal’s efficacy; Dermatophytosis; Immunity; Pathogenicity