Virulence of Fusarium oxysporum on Kidney Organ Using In vivo Mice Model

Aim: To determine the virulence of Fusarium oxysporum on mice kidney organ.
Study Design: Study was carried out using experimental design.
Place and Duration: The study was carried out at University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. From May 2012–August 2014.
Methodology: Isolates from human infections were obtained from 2000 patients with apparent signs of fungal infections (mycotic keratitis). Plant isolates were obtained from symptomatic plants (decaying or rotting plant substrate) from five different markets and farm lands in Enugu state, Nigeria. A total of 3000 plants were used. Cultures were carried out on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar slants according to modified methods and identifications made. In vivo virulence studies in mice were carried out with each individual strain. Histopathology of the kidney organ was performed. Mean survival time (MST) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results: In vivo virulence studies of Fusarium oxysporum on mice kidney organ resulted in disseminated infection and death of the animals. Histopathological analysis revealed infected kidney with evidence of intense inflammation involving the glomeruli and severe, extensive as well as severe diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration in the interstitium of the cortex. Kidney of control mice showed no pathological features.
Conclusion: The various pathological manifestations and physical signs of infection in the injected mice were indications that Fusarium oxysporum isolated were virulent proving the hypothesis that a single strain of Fusarium oxysporum can produce disease both in plant and human hosts.