EXPERIMENTAL ASPERGILLOSIS IN GUINEA-PIGS - INFLUENCE OF ITRACONAZOLEON FUNGEMIA AND INVASIVE FUNGAL GROWTH

The guinea pig model of experimental aspergillosis was used to evaluat e the efficacy of itraconazole 2.5 and 5 mg kg(-1) in preventing the i nvasive phase of the disease when animals were already loaded with Asp ergillus conidia. Evaluations were made by recording the survival rate s, culturing fragments of nine organs, examining seven organs by means of histochemistry and immunohistochemistry (mAb EB-A1 to Aspergillus galactomannan) and by serological titration of galactomannan. The data indicate that itraconazole is highly effective in preventing true inv asive aspergillosis. Serological evaluations of antigenaemia suggest t hat low titres may only reflect fungaemia, while titres of 1:8 and abo ve are suggestive of invasive disease.