O embrião de galinha antes de experimentar dor poderia ser um modelo experimental adequado para infecção de Sporothrix brasiliensis e S. schenckii ?

Abstract

Sporotrichosis is a chronic or subacute fungal infection transmitted by fungi of the genus Sporothrix, infecting humans and animals, especially domestic cats. The Gallus gallus domesticus embryo is suitable for scientific research because it offers an environment with more variables than in vitro models and more suitability to the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement ) than animal models with higher complexities, like the mammals. The objective of this work is to evaluate whether the chicken embryo can act as an alternative model to investigate infection by S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii. The first chapter presents a literature review on rising sporotrichosis in cats and humans, and the characteristics of the chicken embryo for a better understanding of its use as an experimental model. The second chapter is the scientific article. Our results demonstrate that, although Sporothrix spp. is not a natural avian pathogen, it is capable of causing lesions and an inflammatory response in chicken embryos. While no clear virulence differences were observed between strains based on macro- and microscopic lesions, the induction of IL-8 suggests that this chemokine may be a relevant inflammation marker 72 hours after inoculation and reinforces the suitability of this model in researches about the sporotrichosis pathogenesis and immune response.