Advancements in animal model utilization for Talaromyces marneffei infections: a comprehensive review

Talaromyces marneffei (T.marneffei), a thermally dimorphic pathogenic fungus with a complex development cycle, is mostly found in Southeast Asia and southern China. Throughout its existence, it undergoes a number of morphological transformations, including conidial, hyphal, and yeast forms, with each phase significantly associated with pathogenic potential. T.marneffei infections continue to be a major public health concern in affected areas, with mortality rates of roughly 33% in co-infected HIV-positive individuals and up to 55% in HIV-negative individuals with other immune-compromising diseases. Despite the significance of this disease, the particular pathogenic mechanism of T. marneffei is unclear, and therapeutic options are limited, stressing the vital need for further research. An animal model is a valuable research tool for researching disease pathophysiology and clinical treatments. Common animal models include mice, rats, hamsters, rabbits, fish, birds (mainly chickens), guinea pigs, amphibians (Xenopus laevis), primates, dogs, cats, and so on. It is widely used in drug testing, toxicology screening, vaccine development, efficacy evaluation, and other applications. T.marneffei, a temperature biphasic fungus, has specific development and pathogenic characteristics that require special consideration when using animal models. This work outlines recent achievements in the use of animal models in T. marneffei research, providing a firm foundation for future research.