Bartonella bacilliformis pathogenesis using Galleria Mellonella larvae as an invertebrate infection model
Location
Poster Session 1 (Henderson Library)
Session Format
Poster Presentation
Your Campus
Statesboro Campus- Henderson Library, April 20th
Academic Unit
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Research Area Topic:
Natural & Physical Sciences - Biology
Co-Presenters and Faculty Mentors or Advisors
Dr. Marina Eremeeva (meremeeva@georgiasouthern.edu)
Abstract
Background: Bartonella bacilliformis is the etiological agent of Carrion’s disease, a deadly neglected tropical disease affecting Peru. Infection models for B. bacilliformis (BB) are limited. New studies are needed to establish an affordable and user-friendly model of infection. The purpose of this study was to determine if Galleria mellonella larvae (GML) are susceptible to BB infection.
Methods: BB was grown on 5% rabbit blood agar, harvested, and frozen in aliquots. DNA was extracted and genome equivalent copy numbers were determined by qPCR. 5th instar GML were injected at the 6th proleg with 104 - 107 of live or heat-killed BB; PBS was used as control diluent. Control and GML injected with live and killed BB were kept at 28oC and examined daily for 96 hours to observe changes in morphology and behavior. Changes observed in GML were assigned numeric values and survival/health curves were generated. The statistical significance of changes observed in different groups was evaluated. Hemolymph was collected from 5 GML per group; slides were stained and observed microscopically.
Results: During two experiments, GML exhibited a dose-dependent susceptibility to BB. GML infected with 106 and 107 BB resulted in 16% and 78% mortality respectively after 96 hours. GML exhibited dose-dependent decreased mobility, increased melanization, and lower numeric health scores compared to uninfected control. GML inoculated with 106 and 107 heat-treated BB resulted in larval death. This suggests there are heat-stable components of BB that can elicit an immune response in GML. BB was observed in the hemolymph of GML infected with 106 live BB for 24 hours.
Conclusion: Both live and killed BB cause dose-dependent melanization and death in GML. Future research will identify BB antigens eliciting immune responses in GML and examine mechanisms that may be responsible for melanization occurring during immune response of GML to BB infection.
Program Description
Greater Wax Moth larvae (Galleria mellonella, GML) is used as an invertebrate infection model to study innate immune responses to many pathogens. My project aims to determine susceptibility of GML to Bartonella bacilliformis, the agent of Carrion's disease. It was demonstrated that GML has a dose-dependent response to B. bacilliformis.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Presentation Type and Release Option
Presentation (File Not Available for Download)
Start Date
4-20-2022 10:00 AM
End Date
4-20-2022 11:30 AM
Recommended Citation
Cutchin, Garrett J., "Bartonella bacilliformis pathogenesis using Galleria Mellonella larvae as an invertebrate infection model" (2022). GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium. 9.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2022/2022/9
Bartonella bacilliformis pathogenesis using Galleria Mellonella larvae as an invertebrate infection model
Poster Session 1 (Henderson Library)
Background: Bartonella bacilliformis is the etiological agent of Carrion’s disease, a deadly neglected tropical disease affecting Peru. Infection models for B. bacilliformis (BB) are limited. New studies are needed to establish an affordable and user-friendly model of infection. The purpose of this study was to determine if Galleria mellonella larvae (GML) are susceptible to BB infection.
Methods: BB was grown on 5% rabbit blood agar, harvested, and frozen in aliquots. DNA was extracted and genome equivalent copy numbers were determined by qPCR. 5th instar GML were injected at the 6th proleg with 104 - 107 of live or heat-killed BB; PBS was used as control diluent. Control and GML injected with live and killed BB were kept at 28oC and examined daily for 96 hours to observe changes in morphology and behavior. Changes observed in GML were assigned numeric values and survival/health curves were generated. The statistical significance of changes observed in different groups was evaluated. Hemolymph was collected from 5 GML per group; slides were stained and observed microscopically.
Results: During two experiments, GML exhibited a dose-dependent susceptibility to BB. GML infected with 106 and 107 BB resulted in 16% and 78% mortality respectively after 96 hours. GML exhibited dose-dependent decreased mobility, increased melanization, and lower numeric health scores compared to uninfected control. GML inoculated with 106 and 107 heat-treated BB resulted in larval death. This suggests there are heat-stable components of BB that can elicit an immune response in GML. BB was observed in the hemolymph of GML infected with 106 live BB for 24 hours.
Conclusion: Both live and killed BB cause dose-dependent melanization and death in GML. Future research will identify BB antigens eliciting immune responses in GML and examine mechanisms that may be responsible for melanization occurring during immune response of GML to BB infection.
