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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
A Galleria mellonella Oral Administration Model to Study Commensal-Induced Innate Immune Responses
Published on: March 21, 2019
Galleria mellonella as an infection model for Campylobacter jejuni virulence
Nicola J Senior1, Mary C Bagnall2, Olivia L Champion1
1School of BioSciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK.
Abstract:
Larvae of Galleria mellonella (Greater Wax Moth) have been shown to be susceptible to Campylobacter jejuni infection and our study characterizes this infection model. Following infection with C. jejuni human isolates, bacteria were visible in the haemocoel and gut of challenged larvae, and there was extensive damage to the gut. Bacteria were found in the extracellular and cell-associated fraction in the haemocoel, and it was shown that C. jejuni can survive in insect cells. Finally, we have used the model to screen a further 67 C. jejuni isolates belonging to different MLST types. Isolates belonging to ST257 were the most virulent in the Galleria model, whereas those belonging to ST21 were the least virulent.
Insights
The Greater Wax Moth larva (Galleria mellonella) serves as a model for Campylobacter jejuni infection, revealing gut damage and bacterial survival within insect cells. Virulence varied among C. jejuni isolates, with ST257 strains being most potent.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Insect Models
Background:
- Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis globally.
- Understanding C. jejuni pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions is crucial for developing effective interventions.
- Larval models offer a cost-effective and ethically viable alternative for studying microbial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the Galleria mellonella (Greater Wax Moth) larva as a model for C. jejuni infection.
- To investigate the survival and dissemination of C. jejuni within the insect host.
- To assess the virulence of different C. jejuni isolates using the G. mellonella model.
Main Methods:
- Larvae of G. mellonella were infected with human isolates of C. jejuni.
- Bacterial presence and distribution were analyzed in larval tissues (haemocoel and gut).
- Gut damage and bacterial survival within insect cells were evaluated.
- The G. mellonella model was used to screen 67 C. jejuni isolates of different MLST types for virulence.
Main Results:
- C. jejuni successfully infected G. mellonella larvae, with bacteria detected in the haemocoel and gut.
- Extensive gut damage was observed in infected larvae.
- C. jejuni demonstrated survival in the extracellular and cell-associated fractions within the haemocoel, including within insect cells.
- Significant variation in virulence was observed among C. jejuni isolates, with ST257 isolates showing the highest virulence and ST21 isolates the lowest in the G. mellonella model.
Conclusions:
- The G. mellonella larva is a suitable model for studying C. jejuni infection and pathogenesis.
- C. jejuni can survive and cause damage within the G. mellonella host.
- The G. mellonella infection model can differentiate the virulence of C. jejuni isolates based on their MLST type.
