Abstract
Aim. A novel ex vivo model for the study of adherence and invasion of dermatophytes to
the stratum corneum was developed.
Materials and methods. A skin of full epidermis thickness was infected by spores of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and examined after various periods of time by scanning and transmission electron
microscopy.
Results. After 12 h of inoculation a tenacious adherence between the spores and the stratum
corneum was observed. There was a time dependent increase in the number of spores
adhered to this surface. By 24 h, germination had commenced. The initial growth of
germ tubes occurred extracellularly to the corneocytes. Three days after inoculation,
the most prominent feature was proliferation of fungal hyphae and penetration of mycelium
through the outer keratinocyte layer which is followed by invasion of the outer stratum
corneum.
Conclusion. The model introduced in the present study may contribute to a better understanding
of the nature of the interaction between dermatophytes and skin cells in dermatophytosis
process.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
September 12,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 The British Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
