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A Zebrafish Embryo Model for In Vivo Visualization and Intravital Analysis of Biomaterial-associated Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: January 7, 2019
Zebrafish as a novel vertebrate model to dissect enterococcal pathogenesis
Tomasz K Prajsnar1, Stephen A Renshaw, Nikolay V Ogryzko
1Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Infection and Immunity
|September 5, 2013
Summary
Zebrafish larvae offer a novel model to study Enterococcus faecalis infections. This research identified bacterial evasion of host cells and tissue damage as key to disease development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Zebrafish Models
Background:
- Enterococcus faecalis is a significant opportunistic pathogen causing severe nosocomial infections.
- Antibiotic resistance in E. faecalis complicates treatment, leading to high mortality and healthcare costs.
- Existing animal models for E. faecalis pathogenesis are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Enterococcus faecalis pathogenesis in a zebrafish larvae model.
- To identify key virulence factors and mechanisms of E. faecalis infection.
- To establish zebrafish as a suitable model for studying enterococcal infections.
Main Methods:
- Utilized zebrafish larvae, including immunocompromised and genetically engineered strains.
- Employed model strains and isogenic mutants of E. faecalis.
- Used fluorescently labeled bacteria (GFP) to track dissemination.
- Analyzed larval lethality and bacterial spread.
Main Results:
- Identified Epa rhamnopolysaccharide as crucial for evading host phagocytosis.
- Determined the Fsr regulon is essential for mediating tissue damage via quorum sensing.
- Demonstrated zebrafish larvae as a viable model for dissecting E. faecalis virulence.
Conclusions:
- Zebrafish larvae provide a powerful and novel model for studying E. faecalis pathogenesis.
- E. faecalis virulence relies on mechanisms for host immune evasion and tissue destruction.
- This model facilitates the dissection of enterococcal virulence mechanisms.
