Rhizopus -host interplay of disseminated mucormycosis in immunocompetent mice.

Authors :: Dos Santos AR
Fraga-Silva TF
Almeida DF
Dos Santos RF
Finato AC
Amorim BC
Andrade MI
Soares CT
Lara VS
Almeida NL
de Arruda OS
de Arruda MS
Venturini J
Source :: Future microbiology [Future Microbiol] 2020 Jun; Vol. 15, pp. 739-752. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jul 20.
Publication Year :: 2020
Abstract: Aim: To investigate the immune response of disseminated Ryzopus oryzae infection in immunocompetent mice. Methods: C57Bl/6, BALB/c and Swiss wild-type mice were intravenously infected with R. oryzae ; the parameters of infection and immune response were determined. Transcriptional signature of Th17 immune response and infection in Il17ra <superscript>-/-</superscript> mice were also evaluated. Results: All mouse strains showed an initial spread of R. oryzae in the target tissues; however, after 30 days, C57Bl/6 and BALB/c mice showed an effective fungal clearance associated with specific production of IL-17 and IL-2. We also observed that 60% of Il17ra <superscript>-/-</superscript> mice succumbed to infection within 16 days. Conclusion: This study has established an immunocompetent model for disseminated mucormycosis and highlighted the role of IL-17 signaling in immunity against R. oryzae .