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Updated: Sep 28, 2026
The Galleria mellonella Waxworm Infection Model for Disseminated Candidiasis
Published on: November 17, 2018
Correlation between virulence of Candida albicans mutants in mice and Galleria mellonella larvae
Marc Brennan1, David Y Thomas, Malcolm Whiteway
1Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Biology, National University of Ireland, Co Kildare, Maynooth, Ireland.
Abstract:
Candida albicans is a dimorphic human pathogen in which the yeast to hyphal switch may be an important factor in virulence in mammals. This pathogen has recently been shown to also kill insects such as the Greater Wax Moth Galleria mellonella when injected into the haemocoel of the insect larvae. We have investigated the effect of previously characterised C. albicans mutations that influence the yeast to hyphal transition on virulence in G. mellonella larvae. There is a good correlation between the virulence of these mutants in the insect host and the virulence measured through systemic infection of mice. Although the predominant cellular species detected in G. mellonella infections is the yeast form of C. albicans, mutations that influence the hyphal transition also reduce pathogenicity in the insect. The correlation with virulence measured in the mouse infection system suggests that Galleria may provide a convenient and inexpensive model for the in vivo screening of mutants of C. albicans.
Insights
Candida albicans virulence in insects correlates with mammalian virulence. Mutations affecting the yeast-hyphal transition impact pathogenicity in both Greater Wax Moth larvae and mice, suggesting a useful model system.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pathogen Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Candida albicans is a dimorphic human pathogen.
- The yeast-to-hyphal switch is implicated in virulence.
- C. albicans can infect and kill insects, including Galleria mellonella.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of C. albicans' yeast-to-hyphal transition in insect pathogenicity.
- To assess the correlation between virulence in Galleria mellonella and mammalian models.
Main Methods:
- Utilized characterized C. albicans mutants affecting yeast-to-hyphal transition.
- Infected Greater Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae with C. albicans mutants.
- Compared insect pathogenicity with existing mouse infection data.
Main Results:
- Mutations influencing the hyphal transition reduced pathogenicity in G. mellonella.
- A strong correlation was observed between virulence in G. mellonella and mouse models.
- The yeast form predominated in G. mellonella infections, but hyphal transition mutants were less virulent.
Conclusions:
- The yeast-to-hyphal transition influences C. albicans virulence in insects.
- Galleria mellonella serves as a viable, cost-effective model for screening C. albicans virulence mutants.
- Findings support the role of morphological switching in C. albicans pathogenesis across hosts.
