Lactoferrin given in food facilitates dermatophytosis cure in guinea pig models

Dermatophytosis is the most common skin infection caused by dermatophytic f ungi, such as Trichophyton spp. We studied the in vitro and in vivo antifun gal effects of lactoferrin against Trichophyton. Human and bovine lactoferr in, and a bovine lactoferrin-derived peptide, lactoferricin B, showed in vi tro antifungal activity that was dependent on the test strain and medium us ed. In guinea pigs infected on the back with Trichophyton mentagrophytes (i .e. those with tinea corporis), consecutive daily po administration of bovi ne lactoferrin did not prevent development of symptoms during the early pha se of infection, but facilitated clinical improvement of skin lesions after the peak of the symptoms. The fungal burden in lesions was less in guinea pigs that had been given lactoferrin than in untreated controls 21 days aft er infection. In guinea pigs infected on the foot with T. mentagrophytes (i .e, those with tinea pedis), the fungal burden of the skin on the heel port ion of the infected foot 35 days after infection was lower in animals fed l actoferrin than in controls. These results suggest the potential usefulness of lactoferrin as a food component for promoting dermatophytosis cure.