Aim:

To investigate the immune response of disseminated Ryzopus oryzae infection in immunocompetent mice.

Methods:

C57Bl/6, BALB/c and Swiss wild-type mice were intravenously infected with R. oryzae; the parameters of infection and immune response were determined. Transcriptional signature of Th17 immune response and infection in Il17ra-/- mice were also evaluated.

Results:

All mouse strains showed an initial spread of R. oryzae in the target tissues; however, after 30 days, C57Bl/6 and BALB/c mice showed an effective fungal clearance associated with specific production of IL-17 and IL-2. We also observed that 60% of Il17ra-/- mice succumbed to infection within 16 days.

Conclusion:

This study has established an immunocompetent model for disseminated mucormycosis and highlighted the role of IL-17 signaling in immunity against R. oryzae(AU).