Galleria mellonella as an infection model for Campylobacter jejuni virulence.
Nicola J Senior, Mary C Bagnall, Olivia L Champion, Stuart E Reynolds, Roberto M La Ragione, Martin J Woodward, Francisco J Salguero, Richard W Titball
Author Information
Nicola J Senior: School of BioSciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK.
Mary C Bagnall: Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, UK.
Olivia L Champion: School of BioSciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK.
Stuart E Reynolds: Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
Roberto M La Ragione: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
Martin J Woodward: Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, UK.
Francisco J Salguero: Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, UK.
Richard W Titball: School of BioSciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK.
Larvae of Galleria mellonella (Greater Wax Moth) have been shown to be susceptible to Campylobacter jejuni infection and our study characterizes this infection model. Following infection with C. jejuni human isolates, bacteria were visible in the haemocoel and gut of challenged larvae, and there was extensive damage to the gut. Bacteria were found in the extracellular and cell-associated fraction in the haemocoel, and it was shown that C. jejuni can survive in insect cells. Finally, we have used the model to screen a further 67 C. jejuni isolates belonging to different MLST types. Isolates belonging to ST257 were the most virulent in the Galleria model, whereas those belonging to ST21 were the least virulent.
