Candida albicans increases the pathogenicity of staphylococcus aureus during polymicrobial infection of galleria mellonella larvae

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Abstract

This study detailed the responses of Galleria mellonella larvae to disseminated infection caused by co-infection with Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Doses of C. albicans (1×105 larva−1) and S. aureus (1×104 larva−1) were non-lethal in mono-infection but when combined significantly (P<0.05) reduced larval survival at 24, 48 and 72 h relative to larvae receiving S. aureus (2×104 larva−1) alone. Co-infected larvae displayed a significantly higher density of S. aureus larva−1 compared to larvae infected solely with S. aureus. Co-infection resulted in dissemination throughout the host and the appearance of large nodules. Co-infection of larvae with C. albicans and S. aureus (2×104 larva−1) resulted in an increase in the density of circulating haemo-cytes compared to that in larvae infected with only S. aureus. Proteomic analysis of co-infected larval haemolymph revealed increased abundance of proteins associated with immune responses to bacterial and fungal infection such as cecropin-A (+45.4-fold), recognition proteins [e.g. peptidoglycan-recognition protein LB (+14-fold)] and proteins associated with nodule formation [e.g. Hdd11 (+33.3-fold)]. A range of proteins were also decreased in abundance following co-infection, including apolipophorin (−62.4-fold), alpha-esterase 45 (−7.7-fold) and serine proteinase (−6.2-fold). Co-infection of larvae resulted in enhanced proliferation of S. aureus compared to mono-infection and an immune response showing many similarities to the innate immune response of mammals to infection. The utility of G. mellonella larvae for studying polymicrobial infection is highlighted.

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Sheehan, G., Tully, L., & Kavanagh, K. A. (2020). Candida albicans increases the pathogenicity of staphylococcus aureus during polymicrobial infection of galleria mellonella larvae. Microbiology (United Kingdom). Microbiology Society. https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.000892

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