An Invertebrate Host to Study Fungal Infections, Mycotoxins and Antifungal Drugs: Tenebrio molitor

Souza, Patrícia Canteri de; Caloni, Carla Custódio; Wilson, Duncan; Almeida, Ricardo Sérgio

doi:10.3390/jof4040125

Cited by 36 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 92 publications

(116 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…These samples were selected to be evaluated in a model of stress induced by heat-killed E. coli in T. molitor larvae. This insect has been used as a model organism in studies of microbial pathogenesis and drug development (antimicrobial, antivirulence, and immunomodulator agents) [27][28][29]. Several factors have supported the use of this animal.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Products Derived from Buchenavia tetraphylla Leaves Have In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Protect Tenebrio molitor Larvae against Escherichia coli-Induced Injury

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The relevance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of several diseases (including inflammatory disorders) has traditionally led to the search for new sources of antioxidant compounds. In this work, we report the selection of fractions with high antioxidant action from B. tetraphylla (BT) leaf extracts. In vitro methods (DPPH and ABTS assays; determination of phenolic and flavonoid contents) were used to select products derived from B. tetraphylla with high antioxidant action. Then, the samples with the highest potentials were evaluated in a model of injury based on the inoculation of a lethal dose of heat-inactivated Escherichia coli in Tenebrio molitor larvae. Due to its higher antioxidant properties, the methanolic extract (BTME) was chosen to be fractionated using Sephadex LH-20 column-based chromatography. Two fractions from BTME (BTFC and BTFD) were the most active fractions. Pre-treatment with these fractions protected larvae of T. molitor from the stress induced by inoculation of heat-inactivated E. coli. Similarly, BTFC and BTFD increased the lifespan of larvae infected with a lethal dose of enteroaggregative E. coli 042. NMR data indicated the presence of aliphatic compounds (terpenes, fatty acids, carbohydrates) and aromatic compounds (phenolic compounds). These findings suggested that products derived from B. tetraphylla leaves are promising candidates for the development of antioxidant and anti-infective agents able to treat oxidative-related dysfunctions.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Products Derived from Buchenavia tetraphylla Leaves Have In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Protect Tenebrio molitor Larvae against Escherichia coli-Induced Injury

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Despite mice being an excellent model to study pathogenicity and virulence of fungi, use of this model is facing ethical conflict and economic issues [86]. Since the innate immune system is evolutionary conserved in insects, invertebrate organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster [85], Caenorhabditis elegans [87,88] Tenebrio molitor [89] and Galleria mellonella [86] are gaining interest as models for studying virulence traits of Candida species and host response against Candida infections.…”

Section: Candida Auris Virulence In Vivomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The higher virulence of C. auris in invertebrate models could be explained by its ability to evade neutrophil attack [92]. Invertebrates only have an innate immune system and thus are relying mainly on granulocytes (neutrophil-like cells) as their defense against fungal infection [89], suggesting this system fails to kill C. auris effectively.…”

Section: Candida Auris Virulence In Vivomentioning

confidence: 99%

Attack, Defend and Persist: How the Fungal Pathogen Candida auris was Able to Emerge Globally in Healthcare Environments

Jong

Hagen

2019

Mycopathologia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Within a decade after its first description, the multidrug-resistant yeast Candida auris has emerged globally as a nosocomial pathogen causing difficult to control outbreaks. This, together with the alarmingly high mortality rate of up to 66% associated with C. auris candidemia, calls for a better understanding of its virulence traits and routes of transmission. Unlike other clinically relevant Candida species, C. auris seems to have the unique ability to be easily transmitted between patients. Although initially thought to express fewer virulence traits than Candida albicans, recent genomic insights suggest C. auris to possess these traits to a much more similar extent. This review highlights the virulence traits C. auris expresses to attack the host, defend itself against antimicrobial agents and to persist within the healthcare environment.

show abstract

“…Several interesting mini-host models such as Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Galleria mellonella have been used for studying the pathophysiology of different fungal species [2,3] and more recently some antifungal treatments have also been evaluated in these models [4,5]. The G. mellonella model is particularly interesting because it is inexpensive, easy to use, and does not require specialized infrastructures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Galleria mellonella for the Evaluation of Antifungal Efficacy against Medically Important Fungi, a Narrative Review

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The treatment of invasive fungal infections remains challenging and the emergence of new fungal pathogens as well as the development of resistance to the main antifungal drugs highlight the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Although in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing has come of age, the proper evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of current or new antifungals is dependent on the use of animal models. Mammalian models, particularly using rodents, are the cornerstone for evaluation of antifungal efficacy, but are limited by increased costs and ethical considerations. To circumvent these limitations, alternative invertebrate models, such as Galleria mellonella, have been developed. Larvae of G. mellonella have been widely used for testing virulence of fungi and more recently have proven useful for evaluation of antifungal efficacy. This model is suitable for infection by different fungal pathogens including yeasts (Candida, Cryptococcus, Trichosporon) and filamentous fungi (Aspergillus, Mucorales). Antifungal efficacy may be easily estimated by fungal burden or mortality rate in infected and treated larvae. The aim of the present review is to summarize the actual data about the use of G. mellonella for testing the in vivo efficacy of licensed antifungal drugs, new drugs, and combination therapies.

show abstract

An Invertebrate Host to Study Fungal Infections, Mycotoxins and Antifungal Drugs: Tenebrio molitor

Cited by 36 publications

References 92 publications

Products Derived from Buchenavia tetraphylla Leaves Have In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Protect Tenebrio molitor Larvae against Escherichia coli-Induced Injury

Products Derived from Buchenavia tetraphylla Leaves Have In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Protect Tenebrio molitor Larvae against Escherichia coli-Induced Injury

Attack, Defend and Persist: How the Fungal Pathogen Candida auris was Able to Emerge Globally in Healthcare Environments

Galleria mellonella for the Evaluation of Antifungal Efficacy against Medically Important Fungi, a Narrative Review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About