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Galleria mellonella in vitro model for chromoblastomycosis shows large differences in virulence between isolates
Dongmei Shi1,2, Zhiya Yang2, Wanqing Liao3
1Department of Dermatology & Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Shandong, China.
Background:
Chromoblastomycosis is the World Health Organization (WHO)-recognized fungal implantation disease that eventually leads to severe mutilation. Cladophialophora carrionii (C. carrionii) is one of the agents. However, the pathogenesis of C. carrionii is not fully investigated yet.
Methods:
We investigated the pathogenic potential of the fungus in a Galleria mellonella (G. mellonella) larvae infection model. Six strains of C. carrionii, and three of its environmental relative C. yegresii were tested. The G. mellonella model was also applied to determine antifungal efficacy of amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and terbinafine.
Results:
All strains were able to infect the larvae, but virulence potentials were strain-specific and showed no correlation with clinical background of the respective isolate. Survival of larvae also varied with infection dose, and with growth speed and melanization of the fungus. Posaconazole and voriconazole exhibited best activity against Cladophialophora, followed by itraconazole and terbinafine, while limited efficacy was seen for amphotericin B.
Conclusion:
Infection behavior deviates significantly between strains. In vitro antifungal susceptibility of tested strains only partly explained the limited treatment efficacy in vivo.
Insights
This study reveals that Cladophialophora carrionii strains vary in their ability to cause chromoblastomycosis (fungal disease) in Galleria mellonella larvae, with some antifungals showing better efficacy than others.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Research
Background:
- Chromoblastomycosis is a WHO-recognized fungal disease causing severe mutilation.
- Cladophialophora carrionii is a causative agent, but its pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathogenic potential of Cladophialophora carrionii strains.
- To evaluate the in vivo efficacy of several antifungal agents against Cladophialophora species.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Galleria mellonella larvae infection model to assess fungal pathogenicity.
- Tested six strains of Cladophialophora carrionii and three of Cladophialophora yegresii.
- Determined antifungal efficacy of amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and terbinafine.
Main Results:
- All tested Cladophialophora strains infected Galleria mellonella larvae, with strain-specific virulence.
- Larval survival depended on infection dose, fungal growth rate, and melanization.
- Posaconazole and voriconazole demonstrated the highest antifungal activity in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Infection behavior varies significantly among Cladophialophora strains.
- In vitro antifungal susceptibility partially explains in vivo treatment efficacy limitations.
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