38 Analysis of the animal model of tinea corporis

Abstract

Objectives To explore common modeling methods and problems with the tinea corporis animal model. Methods We summarize the classification and pathogenesis of the tinea corporis animal model, and analyze the methods used to establish the model and the characteristics of the model. Results Animal models of tinea corporis are mainly established using the scratch method, sandpaper method, animal skin wound puncture, and inoculation with fungal strains such as Trichophyton mentagrophytesand Trichophyton rubrum. The most common method is inoculation with T. mentagrophytes into an infected skin wound. Tinea symptoms, a skin lesion and pathological changes indicate the successful establishment of a tinea corporis model. The scratch method is easy to perform and has better repeatability and induction for a short period of time. It meets clinical pathological indications and can be used for drug screening and validation. The puncture method is sensitive to Chinese herbal medicine and decoction and so can be used to study antifungal Chinese drugs with weak potency. Conclusions Although the existing animal model can reflect some clinical criteria or performance, it cannot fully reflect clinical characteristics. We should improve the animal model according to the clinical standards of Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Acknowledgments This work was financially supported by a project grant from the National ‘Eleventh Five-Year’ Support Program (Grant No. 2008BAI53B09), Henan Province Outstanding Scientific and Technological Innovation Team (Grant No. TCJ2014-391) and Zhengzhou Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Team Program (Grant No. 131PCXTD612).