| Abstract: | Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is caused by the dimorphic fungusParacoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) and corresponds to prevalentsystemic mycosis in Latin America. The aim of the present work was to evaluate thedose response effect of the fungal yeast phase for the standardization of anexperimental model of septic arthritis. The experiments were performed with groups of14 rats that received doses of 103, 104 or 105P. brasiliensis (Pb18) cells. The fungi were injected in 50 µL ofphosphate-buffered saline (PBS) directly into the knee joints of the animals. Thefollowing parameters were analyzed in this work: the formation of swelling in kneesinfused with yeast cells and the radiological and anatomopathological alterations,besides antibody titer by ELISA. After 15 days of infection, signs of inflammationwere evident. At 45 days, some features of damage and necrosis were observed in thearticular cartilage. The systemic dissemination of the fungus was observed in 11% ofthe inoculated animals, and it was concluded that the experimental model is able tomimic articular PCM in humans and that the dose of 105 yeast cells can beused as standard in this model. |
