Pathogenic diversity of <i>Cryptococcus</i> in <i>Galleria mellonella</i> extends beyond classical virulence factors.

ABSTRACT: Pathogenic determinants in the Cryptococcus genus have been extensively studied, often using standard laboratory isolates. Here, we analyzed the virulence of ten Cryptococcus isolates from diverse sources, species, and genotypes. These isolates exhibited marked differences in their ability to colonize and kill the invertebrate host Galleria mellonella, as well as in their interactions with hemocytes. Capsule formation also varied widely among isolates, with no clear correlation between virulence in G. mellonella and source of isolation, species, fungal burden, capsule size, or interaction with larval hemocytes. To further investigate the basis of this pathogenic diversity, we selected two hypervirulent isolates (C. deuterogattii and C. neoformans)

SUBMITTER: Sena BAG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12506587 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature