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