Standard ingredient of <i>Drosophila</i> medium reduces transmission and virulence of the gut pathogen <i>Pseudomonas entomophila</i>.

ABSTRACT: In the last 20 years, Pseudomonas entomophila (Pe) has emerged as a model to explore insect immunity to bacterial intestinal pathogens. Laboratory studies have characterized multiple detrimental effects of Pe on Drosophila melanogaster. However, these effects require that the bacteria are ingested in extremely high concentrations of 10¹⁰-10¹¹ CFU per mL (OD₆₀₀ 20-200), questioning the relevance of this pathogen in nature. Here, we tested whether the need for such high doses may be due to protective effects of the antifungal agent methylparaben (Nipagin), a standard ingredient of laboratory Drosophila diets. While significant mortality of flies fed diet containing methylparaben required pathogen concentrations of >10¹⁰ CFU per

SUBMITTER: Henry Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12403818 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature