The Dynamics of <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> infection in <i>Galleria mellonella</i>.

ABSTRACT: Galleria mellonella has emerged as an important host for the study of fungal virulence, insect immune responses, and the evaluation of antifungal agents. In this study we investigated the dynamics of fungal infections in G. mellonella using Cryptococcus neoformans, a human pathogenic fungus. Since the analysis of infection dynamics requires a fine temporal resolution of larval death, we employed a photographic timelapse technique that allowed us to simultaneously measure death by proxy of larval melanization and absence of movement. Larval mortality occurred in two phases, early and late, which differed in their timing of melanization. Early phase deaths occurred with rapid whole-body onset of melanization, followed by sudden cessation of movement several hours later.

SUBMITTER: Smith DFQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11957108 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature