Comparison of virulence of different Sporothrix schenckii clinical isolates using experimental murine model.

The virulence of two strains of Sporothrix schenckii isolated from patients with lymphocutaneous or disseminated sporotrichosis were examined in BALB/c mice (Group 1 and 2, respectively). The mice were inoculated subcutaneously into the left hind footpad with 4 x 10(6) S. schenckii yeast cells in order to evaluate (i) the development of cutaneous lesions, (ii) signs of inactivity, (iii) weight loss, (iv) survival rates, (v) number of viable yeast cells in the lungs and spleen, (vi) splenic index, (vii) extent of organ lesions, and (viii) immunological responses.