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The Galleria mellonella Waxworm Infection Model for Disseminated Candidiasis
Published on: November 17, 2018
Invertebrate models of fungal infection
Marios Arvanitis1, Justin Glavis-Bloom, Eleftherios Mylonakis
1Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
Abstract:
The morbidity, mortality and economic burden associated with fungal infections, together with the emergence of fungal strains resistant to current antimicrobial agents, necessitate broadening our understanding of fungal pathogenesis and discovering new agents to treat these infections. Using invertebrate hosts, especially the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the model insects Drosophila melanogaster and Galleria mellonella, could help achieve these goals. The evolutionary conservation of several aspects of the innate immune response between invertebrates and mammals makes the use of these simple hosts an effective and fast screening method for identifying fungal virulence factors and testing potential antifungal compounds. The purpose of this review is to compare several model hosts that have been used in experimental mycology to-date and to describe their different characteristics and contribution to the study of fungal virulence and the detection of compounds with antifungal properties. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Animal Models of Disease.
Insights
Invertebrate models like C. elegans and D. melanogaster offer a rapid method to study fungal infections and discover new antifungal drugs. These models aid in understanding fungal pathogenesis and identifying novel therapeutic compounds.
Area of Science:
- Experimental Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Fungal infections pose significant morbidity, mortality, and economic burdens.
- Emerging drug-resistant fungal strains necessitate novel treatment strategies.
- Understanding fungal pathogenesis is crucial for developing new antifungal agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare invertebrate model hosts used in experimental mycology.
- To describe the characteristics and contributions of these models.
- To highlight their role in studying fungal virulence and detecting antifungal compounds.
Main Methods:
- Utilizes invertebrate models such as Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and Galleria mellonella.
- Leverages the conserved innate immune response between invertebrates and mammals.
- Employs these models for rapid screening of fungal virulence factors and antifungal compounds.
Main Results:
- Invertebrate models provide an effective and fast screening platform.
- These models facilitate the identification of fungal virulence factors.
- They are instrumental in testing the efficacy of potential antifungal compounds.
Conclusions:
- Invertebrate models are valuable tools in experimental mycology.
- Their use accelerates the understanding of fungal pathogenesis.
- They significantly contribute to the discovery of novel antifungal therapies.
