An Invertebrate Model Using Galleria mellonella to Study the Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus haemolyticus

Authors

Rebecca McGehee
Shedeur Keener
Skyler Sallee

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

Staphylococcus haemolyticus is a normal inhabitant of healthy skin and is also an emerging cause of nosocomial infections in the immunocompromised. S. haemolyticus infections often lead to bacteremia, septicemia, peritonitis, endocarditis, and various other outcomes. The goal of this project was to establish an invertebrate infection model for studying the innate immune response to S. haemolyticus infections using the wax moth larva (Galleria mellonella). We have found that injecting wax worm larvae with 106 to 107 cfu/mL of S. haemolyticus consistently induced a rapid response and larval death within 24 hours at the higher dose range. We have characterized the general histopathological changes associated with infection and have started to characterize the general innate immune response as well as the hemocyte response to S. haemolyticus. Our findings support the usefulness of this model as an initial screening tool for systemic microbial infections.

Comments

Poster Session
BLH Lobby

Recommended Citation

McGehee, Rebecca; Keener, Shedeur; and Sallee, Skyler, "An Invertebrate Model Using Galleria mellonella to Study the Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus haemolyticus" (2024). Student Research Symposium 2024. 61.
https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/srs_2024/61