Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026
Systemic Bacterial Infection and Immune Defense Phenotypes in Drosophila Melanogaster
Published on: May 13, 2015
Drosophila melanogaster Natural Variation Affects Growth Dynamics of Infecting Listeria monocytogenes
Alejandra Guzmán Hotson1, David S Schneider2
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, California 94305-5124.
Abstract:
We find that in a Listeria monocytogenes/Drosophila melanogaster infection model, L. monocytogenes grows according to logistic kinetics, which means we can measure both a maximal growth rate and growth plateau for the microbe. Genetic variation of the host affects both of the pathogen growth parameters, and they can vary independently. Because growth rates and ceilings both correlate with host survival, both properties could drive evolution of the host. We find that growth rates and ceilings are sensitive to the initial infectious dose in a host genotype-dependent manner, implying that experimental results differ as we change the original challenge dose within a single strain of host.
Insights
Host genetics influence Listeria monocytogenes growth dynamics, impacting both maximal growth rate and plateau. These pathogen parameters correlate with host survival and could drive host evolution.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and immunology
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes is a significant human pathogen.
- Drosophila melanogaster serves as a model organism for studying host-pathogen interactions.
- Understanding pathogen growth kinetics is crucial for infection modeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the kinetics of Listeria monocytogenes growth in a Drosophila melanogaster infection model.
- To determine the impact of host genetic variation on pathogen growth parameters.
- To explore the relationship between pathogen growth and host survival.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a Listeria monocytogenes/Drosophila melanogaster infection model.
- Analyzing pathogen growth using logistic kinetics to determine maximal growth rate and growth plateau.
- Assessing the influence of host genotype on pathogen growth parameters and host survival.
Main Results:
- Listeria monocytogenes exhibits logistic growth kinetics in the infection model.
- Host genetic variation independently affects pathogen maximal growth rate and growth plateau.
- Both growth rate and plateau correlate with host survival.
- Pathogen growth parameters are sensitive to initial infectious dose in a host genotype-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- Host genetics play a critical role in shaping pathogen growth dynamics.
- Pathogen growth rate and plateau are potential drivers of host evolutionary adaptation.
- Experimental outcomes in host-pathogen studies can be influenced by initial infectious dose and host genotype interactions.
