Name: The Galleria mellonella Waxworm Infection Model for Disseminated Candidiasis (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2018-11-17T15:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 7 min 33 s
Description: Learn the Galleria mellonella waxworm infection model for studying disseminated candidiasis using Candida albicans. This method enables high-throughput analysis of fungal virulence factors.

ai_agent_IP

ai_agent

maintenance

instantTrialDurationMinutes

isBiopharma

enableNewMyJoveSectionDesign

educationFeatures

seoMetaApi

ai_copilot_institution_blacklist

ai_chat_institution_blacklist

freeAccessWindow

ssoRoleCapture

scheduledMaintenanceBanner

joveLabsFeatures

disable_autoplay_for_bots

extended_trial_duration

5 minutes

The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Pamela Washington and Leah Anderson in obtaining Galleria mellonella for use in this study.

All methods described rely on use of invertebrate hosts and do not require Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval.
1. Galleria mellonella Waxworm Larvae
<ol>
	<li>Order larvae from wholesalers and suppliers that do not introduce hormones, antibiotics, or other treatments to the larvae and which are able to ship and deliver live specimens.
	<ol>
		<li>Be sure to purchase all larvae from the same supplier during the course of experimentation. Be careful when ordering larvae during summer months as temperatures exceeding 30 &#176;C decrease larvae viability.</li>
		<li>Monitor temperatures across the expected shipping route and plan shipping and delivery accordingly or choose expedited shipping to minimize their exposure to environmental conditions.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>When larvae arrive, check each container to ensure viable, healthy larvae are present. Healthy larvae will be completely submerged beneath the bedding, moving, and possess a light yellow/tan coloration with few larvae containing black marks or discolorations along the body.</li>
	<li>Store larvae in their container in a ventilated space at ambient temperature (25 &#176;C). Depending on the initial condition of the larvae, they may be used for up to two weeks.</li>
</ol>
2. Culture Preparation for Galleria mellonella Infection
NOTE: Proper lab attire should be worn throughout this portion of the protocol including gloves, lab coat, and safety glasses.
<ol>
	<li>Make yeast peptone dextrose (YPD) liquid and agar plates. Prepare 1x phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and 70% ethanol solutions.</li>
	<li>Grow C. albicans strains to be injected overnight in 3 mL of fresh YPD in standard culture tubes on a rotating drum at medium speed and 30 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Spin cells down at 2,500 x g for 5 min in a tabletop centrifuge. Pour off supernatant, being careful not to disturb the cell pellet.
	<ol>
		<li>Resuspend cells fully in 5 mL of 1x PBS by repeated pipetting or vortexing. Repeat the centrifugation and resuspension of cells in PBS twice more to ensure removal of all culture media.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>After a final wash, resuspend cells in 1 mL of PBS and transfer them to a microcentrifuge tube.</li>
	<li>Conduct a set of serial dilutions in PBS to generate a 1:100, 1:1,000, and 1:100,000 dilution series. 
	&#8203;NOTE: Alternative dilutions may be necessary to reach desired cell counts.
	<ol>
		<li>Using a hemocytometer, count cells from either the 1:100 or the 1:1,000 dilution. Most often, the 1:1,000 dilution provides the appropriate cell counts for C. albicans cultures.</li>
		<li>Calculate total concentration of cells within the initial culture using the grid math of the hemocytometer, aiming for between 30-300 cells to be counted in the central 5x5 grid. An automated cell counter may be used as an alternative; however, use of optical density to determine cell counts is discouraged as cell morphology (size, shape, etc.) can significantly affect its accuracy.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Using the measured cell counts, make a new dilution of 2.5x107 cells/mL in 1x PBS in a microcentrifuge tube. This dilution will serve as the basis for each inoculation of G. mellonella with C. albicans. Each injection will require 10 &#181;L of this inoculum for an infectious dose of 250,000 C. albicans cells.</li>
	<li>Confirm accuracy of the infectious dose by plating the correct volume of the 1:100,000 dilution for 100 colony forming units (CFUs) on YPD agar for each culture to be used in infection.</li>
	<li>Incubate cell count plates from step 2.7 for 48 hours (h) at 30 &#176;C and count the number of colonies per plate. Between 80 and 120 colonies constitutes an acceptable range for accuracy in the inoculum.</li>
</ol>
3. Infection of Galleria mellonella Larvae with Candida Cultures
NOTE: Proper lab attire should be worn throughout this portion of the protocol including gloves, lab coat, and safety glasses.
<ol>
	<li>Add 1 mL of 100% ethanol and 1 mL of 1x PBS to two separate microcentrifuge tubes. The ethanol and PBS will be used to wash the injection needle between infections.</li>
	<li>Spread a small amount of waxworm bedding in an empty, 100 x 15 mm sterile Petri dish, which will house the larvae following inoculation for each independent strain. Addition of the bedding limits adherence of dead G. mellonella larvae to the Petri dish surface.</li>
	<li>Sterilize a 26 G, 10 &#181;L syringe by taking up and expunging 10 &#181;L of 70% ethanol three times followed by three washes with 10 &#181;L of 1x PBS. Vortex the inoculation dilution of C. albicans and take up 10 &#181;L of culture. Ensure that there are no air bubbles within the syringe as injection of air promotes death and will complicate downstream analysis.</li>
	<li>Open a container holding the G. mellonella larvae and carefully turn bedding over with a finger to uncover larvae. Select larvae which are in good health as identified by active movement, a light yellow/tan color, and a lack of black pigmentation on the larvae body. These larvae should be of similar size across the full experimental set.</li>
	<li>Pick up a single larvae and hold it gently between the index/middle finger and thumb similar to holding a pencil. Roll the larvae onto its back so the legs are facing up. Hold the full length of the body between the fingers and thumb so that the larvae is unable to curl or pull away from the injection. 
	&#8203;NOTE: If desired, sterilize the site of injection using a cotton swab soaked in 100% ethanol.</li>
	<li>Rotate the syringe so the needle&#39;s bevel faces up and slowly insert the needle tip including the length of the bevel into the body at the junction with the rearmost left leg. Ensure that the needle penetrates the body and does not simply push the body of the larvae inwards. Do not use force in penetrating the body as the needle may pierce completely through the larvae quickly. Gently lifting with the needle will confirm appropriate penetration. Inject the full 10 &#181;L Candida inoculum and extract the needle.</li>
	<li>Repeat step 3.3-3.5 for each larvae. To prevent cell settling, vortex the Candida cultures for inoculation after every third injection. As a control, inject a set of G. mellonella with 10 &#181;L of 1X PBS.</li>
	<li>Co-house 10 larvae injected from the same Candida culture in each 100 x 15 mm Petri dish following inoculation. Incubate larvae at 37 &#176;C for eight days, checking larvae every 24 h to monitor death.
	<ol>
		<li>Assess mortality initially by darkened pigmentation, the formation of black patches or bodies, and a lack of movement. To confirm mortality, use tweezers to gently roll moribund larvae onto their back and lightly poke the larvae&#39;s underside with the tweezers. Non-responsiveness as observed by a lack of visible body or leg movement is scored as death and the larvae are removed from the Petri dish.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Record larvae mortality over the time course. Larvae that begin to pupate into moths can be included in the analysis but should be removed if they begin to molt. Pupating larvae can be censored from end point analysis as the virulence differences between larvae and pupa are unclear.</li>
	<li>Assess statistical significance using Mantel-Cox statistical test.</li>
</ol>

<ol><li>Kauffman, C. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Prospective+multicenter+surveillance+study+of+funguria+in+hospitalized+patients.+The+National+Institute+for+Allergy+and+Infectious+Diseases+%28NIAID%29+Mycoses+Study+Group%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Clinical+Infectious+Diseases%22%5BJournal%5D)">Prospective multicenter surveillance study of funguria in hospitalized patients. The National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Mycoses Study Group.</a> Clinical Infectious Diseases. 30 (1), 14-18 (2000).</li>
<li>Horn, D. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Epidemiology+and+outcomes+of+candidemia+in+2019+patients%3A+data+from+the+prospective+antifungal+therapy+alliance+registry%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Clinical+Infectious+Diseases%22%5BJournal%5D)">Epidemiology and outcomes of candidemia in 2019 patients: data from the prospective antifungal therapy alliance registry.</a> Clinical Infectious Diseases. 48 (12), 1695-1703 (2009).</li>
<li>Pfaller, M. A., Diekema, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Epidemiology+of+invasive+candidiasis%3A+a+persistent+public+health+problem%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Clinical+Microbiology+Reviews%22%5BJournal%5D)">Epidemiology of invasive candidiasis: a persistent public health problem.</a> Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 20 (1), 133-163 (2007).</li>
<li>Sardi, J. C., Scorzoni, L., Bernardi, T., Fusco-Almeida, A. M., Mendes Giannini, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Candida+species%3A+current+epidemiology%2C+pathogenicity%2C+biofilm+formation%2C+natural+antifungal+products+and+new+therapeutic+options%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Medical+Microbiology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Candida species: current epidemiology, pathogenicity, biofilm formation, natural antifungal products and new therapeutic options.</a> Journal of Medical Microbiology. 62, Pt 1 10-24 (2013).</li>
<li>Segal, E., Frenkel, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Experimental+in+Vivo+Models+of+Candidiasis%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Fungi+%28Basel%29%22%5BJournal%5D)">Experimental in Vivo Models of Candidiasis.</a> J Fungi (Basel). 4 (1), (2018).</li>
<li>Conti, H. R., Huppler, A. R., Whibley, N., Gaffen, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Animal+models+for+candidiasis%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Current+Protocols+in+Immunology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Animal models for candidiasis.</a> Current Protocols in Immunology. 105, 11-17 (2014).</li>
<li>Heymann, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+siderophore+iron+transporter+of+Candida+albicans+%28Sit1p%2FArn1p%29+mediates+uptake+of+ferrichrome-type+siderophores+and+is+required+for+epithelial+invasion%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Infection+and+Immunity%22%5BJournal%5D)">The siderophore iron transporter of Candida albicans (Sit1p/Arn1p) mediates uptake of ferrichrome-type siderophores and is required for epithelial invasion.</a> Infection and Immunity. 70 (9), 5246-5255 (2002).</li>
<li>Priest, S. J., Lorenz, M. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Characterization+of+Virulence-Related+Phenotypes+in+Candida+Species+of+the+CUG+Clade%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Eukaryotic+Cell%22%5BJournal%5D)">Characterization of Virulence-Related Phenotypes in Candida Species of the CUG Clade.</a> Eukaryotic Cell. 14 (9), 931-940 (2015).</li>
<li>Savage, D. C., Dubos, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Localization+of+indigenous+yeast+in+the+murine+stomach%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Bacteriol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Localization of indigenous yeast in the murine stomach.</a> J Bacteriol. 94 (6), 1811-1816 (1967).</li>
<li>Ewbank, J. J., Zugasti, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((C.+elegans%3A+model+host+and+tool+for+antimicrobial+drug+discovery%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Disease+Models+%26+Mechanisms%22%5BJournal%5D)">C. elegans: model host and tool for antimicrobial drug discovery.</a> Disease Models & Mechanisms. 4 (3), 300-304 (2011).</li>
<li>Amorim-Vaz, S., Delarze, E., Ischer, F., Sanglard, D., Coste, A. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Examining+the+virulence+of+Candida+albicans+transcription+factor+mutants+using+Galleria+mellonella+and+mouse+infection+models%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Frontiers+in+Microbiology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Examining the virulence of Candida albicans transcription factor mutants using Galleria mellonella and mouse infection models.</a> Frontiers in Microbiology. 6, 367(2015).</li>
<li>Harding, C. R., Schroeder, G. N., Collins, J. W., Frankel, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Use+of+Galleria+mellonella+as+a+model+organism+to+study+Legionella+pneumophila+infection%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Visualized+Experiments%22%5BJournal%5D)">Use of Galleria mellonella as a model organism to study Legionella pneumophila infection.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (81), e50964(2013).</li>
<li>Jacobsen, I. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Galleria+mellonella+as+a+model+host+to+study+virulence+of+Candida%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Virulence%22%5BJournal%5D)">Galleria mellonella as a model host to study virulence of Candida.</a> Virulence. 5 (2), 237-239 (2014).</li>
<li>Tsai, C. J., Loh, J. M., Proft, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Galleria+mellonella+infection+models+for+the+study+of+bacterial+diseases+and+for+antimicrobial+drug+testing%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Virulence%22%5BJournal%5D)">Galleria mellonella infection models for the study of bacterial diseases and for antimicrobial drug testing.</a> Virulence. 7 (3), 214-229 (2016).</li>
<li>Hirakawa, M. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Genetic+and+phenotypic+intra-species+variation+in+Candida+albicans%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Genome+Research%22%5BJournal%5D)">Genetic and phenotypic intra-species variation in Candida albicans.</a> Genome Research. 25 (3), 413-425 (2015).</li>
<li>Dunn, M. J., Kinney, G. M., Washington, P. M., Berman, J., Anderson, M. Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Functional+diversification+accompanies+gene+family+expansion+of+MED2+homologs+in+Candida+albicans%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22PLoS+Genetics%22%5BJournal%5D)">Functional diversification accompanies gene family expansion of MED2 homologs in Candida albicans.</a> PLoS Genetics. 14 (4), 1007326 (2018).</li>
<li>Astvad, K. M. T., Meletiadis, J., Whalley, S., Arendrup, M. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Fluconazole+Pharmacokinetics+in+Galleria+mellonella+Larvae+and+Performance+Evaluation+of+a+Bioassay+Compared+to+Liquid+Chromatography-Tandem+Mass+Spectrometry+for+Hemolymph+Specimens%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Antimicrobial+Agents+and+Chemotherapy%22%5BJournal%5D)">Fluconazole Pharmacokinetics in Galleria mellonella Larvae and Performance Evaluation of a Bioassay Compared to Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Hemolymph Specimens.</a> Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 61 (10), (2017).</li>
<li>Mesa-Arango, A. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+non-mammalian+host+Galleria+mellonella+can+be+used+to+study+the+virulence+of+the+fungal+pathogen+Candida+tropicalis+and+the+efficacy+of+antifungal+drugs+during+infection+by+this+pathogenic+yeast%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Med+Mycol%22%5BJournal%5D)">The non-mammalian host Galleria mellonella can be used to study the virulence of the fungal pathogen Candida tropicalis and the efficacy of antifungal drugs during infection by this pathogenic yeast.</a> Med Mycol. 51 (5), 461-472 (2013).</li>
<li>Brennan, M., Thomas, D. Y., Whiteway, M., Kavanagh, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Correlation+between+virulence+of+Candida+albicans+mutants+in+mice+and+Galleria+mellonella+larvae%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22FEMS+Immunology+and+Medical+Microbiology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Correlation between virulence of Candida albicans mutants in mice and Galleria mellonella larvae.</a> FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology. 34 (2), 153-157 (2002).</li>
<li>Fuchs, B. B., O'Brien, E., Khoury, J. B., Mylonakis, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Methods+for+using+Galleria+mellonella+as+a+model+host+to+study+fungal+pathogenesis%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Virulence%22%5BJournal%5D)">Methods for using Galleria mellonella as a model host to study fungal pathogenesis.</a> Virulence. 1 (6), 475-482 (2010).</li>
<li>Kavanagh, K., Fallon, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Galleria+mellonella+larvae+as+models+for+studying+fungal+virulence%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Fungal+Biology+Reviews%22%5BJournal%5D)">Galleria mellonella larvae as models for studying fungal virulence.</a> Fungal Biology Reviews. 24 (1-2), 79-83 (2010).</li>
<li>Hull, C. M., Johnson, A. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Identification+of+a+mating+type-like+locus+in+the+asexual+pathogenic+yeast+Candida+albicans%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Science%22%5BJournal%5D)">Identification of a mating type-like locus in the asexual pathogenic yeast Candida albicans.</a> Science. 285 (5431), 1271-1275 (1999).</li>
<li>Legrand, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Homozygosity+at+the+MTL+locus+in+clinical+strains+of+Candida+albicans%3A+karyotypic+rearrangements+and+tetraploid+formation%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Molecular+Microbiology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Homozygosity at the MTL locus in clinical strains of Candida albicans: karyotypic rearrangements and tetraploid formation.</a> Molecular Microbiology. 52 (5), 1451-1462 (2004).</li>
<li>Lockhart, S. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((In+Candida+albicans%2C+white-opaque+switchers+are+homozygous+for+mating+type%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Genetics%22%5BJournal%5D)">In Candida albicans, white-opaque switchers are homozygous for mating type.</a> Genetics. 162 (2), 737-745 (2002).</li>
<li>Miller, M. G., Johnson, A. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((White-opaque+switching+in+Candida+albicans+is+controlled+by+mating-type+locus+homeodomain+proteins+and+allows+efficient+mating%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Cell%22%5BJournal%5D)">White-opaque switching in Candida albicans is controlled by mating-type locus homeodomain proteins and allows efficient mating.</a> Cell. 110 (3), 293-302 (2002).</li>
<li>Wu, W., Lockhart, S. R., Pujol, C., Srikantha, T., Soll, D. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Heterozygosity+of+genes+on+the+sex+chromosome+regulates+Candida+albicans+virulence%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Molecular+Microbiology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Heterozygosity of genes on the sex chromosome regulates Candida albicans virulence.</a> Molecular Microbiology. 64 (6), 1587-1604 (2007).</li>
<li>Herrero, A. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((KRE5+gene+null+mutant+strains+of+Candida+albicans+are+avirulent+and+have+altered+cell+wall+composition+and+hypha+formation+properties%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Eukaryotic+Cell%22%5BJournal%5D)">KRE5 gene null mutant strains of Candida albicans are avirulent and have altered cell wall composition and hypha formation properties.</a> Eukaryotic Cell. 3 (6), 1423-1432 (2004).</li>
<li>Hall, R. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+Mnn2+mannosyltransferase+family+modulates+mannoprotein+fibril+length%2C+immune+recognition+and+virulence+of+Candida+albicans%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22PLoS+Pathogens%22%5BJournal%5D)">The Mnn2 mannosyltransferase family modulates mannoprotein fibril length, immune recognition and virulence of Candida albicans.</a> PLoS Pathogens. 9 (4), 1003276(2013).</li>
<li>Wojda, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Immunity+of+the+greater+wax+moth+Galleria+mellonella%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Insect+Science%22%5BJournal%5D)">Immunity of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella.</a> Journal of Insect Science. 24 (3), 342-357 (2017).</li>
<li>Bergin, D., Reeves, E. P., Renwick, J., Wientjes, F. B., Kavanagh, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Superoxide+production+in+Galleria+mellonella+hemocytes%3A+identification+of+proteins+homologous+to+the+NADPH+oxidase+complex+of+human+neutrophils%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Infection+and+Immunity%22%5BJournal%5D)">Superoxide production in Galleria mellonella hemocytes: identification of proteins homologous to the NADPH oxidase complex of human neutrophils.</a> Infection and Immunity. 73 (7), 4161-4170 (2005).</li>
<li>Lange, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Genome+Sequence+of+Galleria+mellonella+%28Greater+Wax+Moth%29%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Genome+Announcements%22%5BJournal%5D)">Genome Sequence of Galleria mellonella (Greater Wax Moth).</a> Genome Announcements. 6 (2), (2018).</li>
<li>Krappmann, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Lightning+up+the+worm%3A+How+to+probe+fungal+virulence+in+an+alternative+mini-host+by+bioluminescence%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Virulence%22%5BJournal%5D)">Lightning up the worm: How to probe fungal virulence in an alternative mini-host by bioluminescence.</a> Virulence. 6 (8), 727-729 (2015).</li>
<li>Chowdhary, A., Voss, A., Meis, J. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Multidrug-resistant+Candida+auris%3A+%27new+kid+on+the+block%27+in+hospital-associated+infections%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Hospital+Infection%22%5BJournal%5D)">Multidrug-resistant Candida auris: 'new kid on the block' in hospital-associated infections.</a> Journal of Hospital Infection. 94 (3), 209-212 (2016).</li>
<li>Delarze, E., Ischer, F., Sanglard, D., Coste, A. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Adaptation+of+a+Gaussia+princeps+Luciferase+reporter+system+in+Candida+albicans+for+in+vivo+detection+in+the+Galleria+mellonella+infection+model%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Virulence%22%5BJournal%5D)">Adaptation of a Gaussia princeps Luciferase reporter system in Candida albicans for in vivo detection in the Galleria mellonella infection model.</a> Virulence. 6 (7), 684-693 (2015).</li>
</ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

The G. mellonella waxworm model stands as an effective tool for the rapid and reproducible analysis of C. albicans virulence. This detailed protocol relies upon consistent delivery of a defined infectious dose to the same site across a batch of larvae. Infectious dose has a profound impact on G. mellonella mortality whereas use of larvae between their initial arrival and ten days following receipt produced similar results. Loss of the C. albicansMTLa allele results in ...

Candida species are common human commensals that are capable of emerging as opportunistic pathogens in severely immunocompromised and dysbiotic patients. Although many Candida species can cause disease, C. albicans is the most prevalent cause of disseminated candidiasis1,2. Systemic disease results from C. albicans accessing the bloodstream through either direct penetration of previously restrictive host barriers or introduction at surgical sites and other breaches of the body3. Candida species utilize a range of pathogenic processes to cause systemic disease within the host including filamentation, biofilm formation, immune cell evasion and escape, and iron scavenging4. In vitro approaches exist to investigate individual pathogenic mechanisms, but animal models continue to provide the best option to investigate the entirety of disease outcome5,6. Previous research has detailed many instances of promising in vitro investigations of virulence failing to reproduce in vivo7,8. Thus, animal models are still required to assess virulence in vivo. Most disease models rely on mice to serve as a surrogate for human infections despite C. albicans inability to naturally colonize murine systems as a commensal9. Invertebrate models of disseminated candidiasis include the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the waxworm Galleria mellonella, although concerns about fundamental differences in basic physiology, host body temperatures, and routes of exposure have hampered their broad acceptance10,11. 
Most recently, the G. mellonella waxworm infection model has been adopted to model pathogenicity of a wide range of bacterial and fungal pathogens12,13,14. Advantages of this model include its relatively low cost, increased throughput, ease of use, and reduced ethical concerns regarding animal beneficence compared to murine models. For researchers, this translates into increased ability to test multiple variables, stronger confidence intervals, more rapid experimentation, and bypass of animal protocols. G. mellonella has served as a platform to rapidly assess C. albicans virulence following perturbation of genes required for biofilm formation, filamentation, and gene regulation across clinical isolates11,15,16. Recent studies have incorporated investigation of antifungal efficacy using G. mellonella to assess the pharmacokinetics of drug activity and resistance under in vivo settings, which are otherwise challenging and time consuming17,18. Yet, studies of C. albicans virulence in G. mellonella have been complicated by reportedly high levels of variation within experiments and inconsistent protocols between research groups that produce differing virulence phenotypes between mice and waxworms11,13,19,20,21. Here, we outline a G. mellonella protocol to standardize C. albicans infections, increase reproducibility in virulence experiments, and demonstrate consistency with previously described studies of virulence in murine models.
Previous studies demonstrated that the C. albicans mating type-like (MTL) locus on chromosome 5 regulates cell identity and mating competence similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other Ascomycete fungi22. The majority of C. albicans isolates are heterozygous at the MTL locus, encoding one of each of the MTLa&#160;and MTL&#945; alleles (MTLa/&#945;), and are consequently sterile15,23,24. Loss of one of the MTL alleles through loss of heterozygosity (LOH) or mutation leads to homozygous MTLa or MTL&#945; strains that can undergo a phenotypic switch from the sterile &#39;white&#39; state to the mating competent &#39;opaque&#39; state25. Previous work has highlighted that loss of MTL heterozygosity also reduces virulence in murine models of systemic infection across different strain backgrounds26. Here, we detail the G. mellonella model for disseminated candidiasis using a genetically similar experimental set to depict the contribution of MTL heterozygosity to virulence in G. mellonella. We show that MTL configuration influenced C. albicans pathogenicity, where MTL&#945; strains were less virulent with respect to both MTLa/&#945; and MTLa cells, similar to findings within murine infection model26.

<table><tbody><tr><td>&lt;em&gt;Galleria mellonella&lt;/em&gt;</td><td>Snackworms.com</td><td></td><td>Buy twice as many worms as expected to use</td></tr><tr><td>10 uL, Model 1701 N SYR Cemented needle, 26G, type 2 syringe</td><td>Hamilton</td><td>80000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Petri dish, 100X15 mm, 500 pack</td><td>Fisher</td><td>FB0875712</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Microcentrifuge tube, 1.7 mL, 500 pack</td><td>VWR</td><td>87003-294</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Phosphate Buffered Saline (Biotechnology grade), 500 mL</td><td>VWR</td><td>97062-818</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ethanol absolute, &amp;ge;99.5% pure, 500 mL</td><td>Millipore Sigma</td><td>EM-EX0276-1S</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>autoclaved ddH&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

the galleria mellonella waxworm infection model for disseminated candidiasis

The Galleria mellonella Waxworm Infection Model for Disseminated Candidiasis

Candida species are common fungal commensals of humans colonizing the skin, mucosal surfaces, and gastrointestinal tract. Under certain conditions, Candida can overgrow their natural niches resulting in debilitating mucosal infections as well as life-threatening systemic infections, which are a major focus of investigation due to their associated high mortality rates. Animal models of disseminated infection exist for studying disease progression and dissecting the characteristics of Candida pathogenicity. Of these, the Galleria mellonella waxworm infection model provides a cost-effective experimental tool for high-throughput investigations of systemic virulence. Many other bacterial and eukaryotic infectious agents have been effectively studied in G. mellonella to understand pathogenicity, making it a widely accepted model system. Yet, variation in the method used to infect G. mellonella can alter phenotypic outcomes and complicate interpretation of the results. Here, we outline the benefits and drawbacks of the waxworm model to study systemic Candida pathogenesis and detail an approach to improve reproducibility. Our results highlight the range of mortality kinetics in G. mellonella and describe the variables which can modulate these kinetics. Ultimately, this method stands as an ethical, rapid, and cost-effective approach to study virulence in a model of disseminated candidiasis.

Here, we demonstrate a reproducible method for the use of G. mellonella waxworms to investigate a disseminated candidiasis model of infection using C. albicans. The appropriate storage, maintenance, and selection of larvae for infection are critical component of insuring reproducibility in G. mellonella mortality (Figure 1A). Healthy larvae that are active, have a light yellow/tan color, and lack black patches on th...

Galleria mellonella serves as an invertebrate model for disseminated candidiasis. Here, we detail the infection protocol and provide supporting data for the model&#39;s effectiveness.

Candida species are common fungal commensals of humans colonizing the skin, mucosal surfaces, and gastrointestinal tract. Under certain conditions, ...

the-galleria-mellonella-waxworm-infection-model-for-disseminated

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

Key techniques to be used in the evaluation of Candida vaginitis in an experimental animal model are described. The methods will allow rapid collection of vaginal specimens and lymphocytes from draining lumbar lymph nodes. These techniques could give rise to mouse models of other diseases in the female lower genital tract.

Protocols for Vaginal Inoculation and Sample Collection in the Experimental Mouse Model of Candida vaginitis

The rapid development, small size and transparency of zebrafish are tremendous advantages for the study of innate immune control of infection1-4. Here we demonstrate techniques for infecting zebrafish larvae using the fungal pathogen Candida albicans by microinjection, methodology recently used to implicate phagocyte NADPH oxidase activity in control of fungal dimorphism5.

Non-invasive Imaging of Disseminated Candidiasis in Zebrafish Larvae

Oral and intra haemocolic infection of larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is described. This insect can be used to study virulence factors of entomopathogenic as well as mammalian opportunistic bacteria. Rearing of the insects, methods of infection and examples of in vivo analysis are described.

The Insect Galleria mellonella as a Powerful Infection Model to Investigate Bacterial Pathogenesis

The larva of the wax moth Galleria mellonella was recently established as an in vivo model to study Legionella pneumophila infection. Here, we demonstrate fundamental techniques to characterize the pathogenesis of Legionella in the larvae, including inoculation, measurement of bacterial virulence and replication as well as extraction and analysis of infected hemocytes.

Use of Galleria mellonella as a Model Organism to Study Legionella pneumophila Infection

In vivo spatio-temporal interactions of pathogen and immune defenses at the mucosal level are not easily imaged in existing vertebrate hosts. The method presented here describes a versatile platform to study mucosal candidiasis in live vertebrates using the swimbladder of the juvenile zebrafish as an infection site.

Modeling Mucosal Candidiasis in Larval Zebrafish by Swimbladder Injection

Here, we present the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a versatile host model to study microbial interaction.

The Nematode Caenorhabditis Elegans - A Versatile In Vivo Model to Study Host-microbe Interactions

Here, we provide a detailed protocol for an oral administration model using Galleria mellonella larvae and how to characterize induced innate immune responses. Using this protocol, researchers without practical experience will be able to use the G. mellonella force-feeding method.

A Galleria mellonella Oral Administration Model to Study Commensal-Induced Innate Immune Responses

The infection of Caenorhabditis elegans by the microsporidian parasite Nematocida parisii enables the worms to produce offspring that are highly resistant to the same pathogen. This is an example of inherited immunity, a poorly understood epigenetic phenomenon. The present protocol describes the study of inherited immunity in a genetically tractable worm model.

Studying Inherited Immunity in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Microsporidia Infection

We establish a mouse model of C.albicans-associated catheter-related infection (CRI), in which biofilm forms on the catheter, and the interaction between C.albicans and host correlates well with the clinical CRI. This model helps screen therapies for C.albicans biofilm-associated CRI,  laying a foundation for clinical transformation.

A Catheter-Related Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse

This study presents a standardized framework for optimizing G. mellonella infection models for use in preclinical antimicrobial assessment. The application of a G. mellonella model as part of a preclinical antimicrobial development pipeline could decrease the number of ineffective compounds progressing to clinical trials.

Galleria mellonella as an Antimicrobial Screening Model

Learn the Galleria mellonella waxworm infection model for studying disseminated candidiasis using Candida albicans. This method enables high-throughput analysis of fungal virulence factors.

The Galleria mellonella Waxworm Infection Model for Disseminated Candidiasis

Explore More Videos