Reeves, Emer P. and Messina, C.G.M. and Doyle, Sean and Kavanagh, Kevin
(2004)
Correlation between gliotoxin production and virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus in Galleria mellonella.
Mycopathologia, 158 (1).
pp. 73-79.
ISSN 0301-486X
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a pathogenic fungus capable of causing both allergic lung disease and invasive aspergillosis,
a serious, life-threatening condition in neutropenic patients. Aspergilli express an array of mycotoxins and
enzymes which may facilitate fungal colonisation of host tissue. In this study we investigated the possibility of
using the insect, Galleria mellonella, for in vivo pathogenicity testing of Aspergillus species. Four clinical isolates
of Aspergillus fumigatus and a single strain of Aspergillus niger were characterised for catalase and elastase activity
and for the production of gliotoxin. Gliotoxin is an immunosuppressive agent previously implicated in assisting
tissue penetration. Results illustrated a strain dependent difference in elastase activity but no significant difference
in catalase activity. Gliotoxin production was detected in vitro and in vivo by Reversed Phase-High Performance
Liquid Chromatography,with highest amounts being produced by A. fumigatus ATCC 26933 (350 ng/mg hyphae).
Survival probability plots (Kaplan–Meier) of experimental groups infected with Aspergillus conidia indicate that
G. mellonella is more susceptible to fungal infection by A. fumigatus ATCC 26933, implicating a critical role for
gliotoxin production rather than growth rate or enzymatic activity in the virulence of A. fumigatus in this model.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
gliotoxin; Aspergillus fumigatus; Galleria mellonella; fungal infection; immunosuppression; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Biology |
| Item ID: |
7399 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1023/B:MYCO.0000038434.55764.16 |
| Depositing User: |
Dr. Sean Doyle
|
| Date Deposited: |
29 Aug 2016 15:31 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Mycopathologia |
| Publisher: |
Springer Verlag |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Funders: |
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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