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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Use of the Invertebrate Galleria mellonella as an Infection Model to Study the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex
Published on: June 30, 2019
Galleria mellonella as an alternative infection model for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
Olivia L Champion1, Ian A M Cooper2, Sarah L James1
1School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
Abstract:
We report that larvae of the wax moth (Galleria mellonella) are susceptible to infection with the human enteropathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis at 37 degrees C. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that in the initial stages of infection the bacteria were taken up into haemocytes. To evaluate the utility of this model for screening Y. pseudotuberculosis mutants we constructed and tested a superoxide dismutase C (sodC) mutant. This mutant showed increased susceptibility to superoxide, a key mechanism of killing in insect haemocytes and mammalian phagocytes. It showed reduced virulence in the murine yersiniosis infection model and in contrast to the wild-type strain IP32953 was unable to kill G. mellonella. The complemented mutant regained all phenotypic properties associated with SodC, confirming the important role of this metalloenzyme in two Y. pseudotuberculosis infection models.
Insights
Wax moth larvae are a new model for studying human pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection. A superoxide dismutase C mutant showed reduced virulence, highlighting SodC
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a human enteropathogen.
- Insect models offer alternatives for studying bacterial pathogenesis.
- Phagocytic cells (hemocytes) play a role in innate immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish Galleria mellonella larvae as a model for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection.
- To investigate the role of superoxide dismutase C (sodC) in Y. pseudotuberculosis virulence.
- To evaluate the utility of the G. mellonella model for screening bacterial mutants.
Main Methods:
- Infection of G. mellonella larvae with Y. pseudotuberculosis at 37°C.
- Confocal microscopy to visualize bacterial uptake into hemocytes.
- Construction and characterization of a sodC mutant and its complemented strain.
- Virulence testing in a murine yersiniosis model.
Main Results:
- G. mellonella larvae are susceptible to Y. pseudotuberculosis infection.
- Bacteria were internalized by hemocytes during early infection stages.
- The sodC mutant exhibited increased susceptibility to superoxide and reduced virulence in mice.
- The sodC mutant was avirulent in G. mellonella, unlike the wild-type strain.
- Complementation restored the wild-type phenotype.
Conclusions:
- Galleria mellonella larvae serve as a viable model for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis pathogenesis.
- Superoxide dismutase C is crucial for Y. pseudotuberculosis virulence in both insect and mammalian models.
- The G. mellonella model is effective for screening bacterial virulence factors.
