title: Use of Galleria mellonella larvae to evaluate the in vivo anti-fungal activity of [Ag2(mal)(phen)3].
abstract: Larvae of the insect Galleria mellonella were employed to assess the in vivo antifungal efficacy of ([Ag(2)(mal)(phen)(3)]), AgNO(3) and 1,10-phenanthroline. Larvae pre-inoculated with these compounds were protected from a subsequent lethal infection by the yeast Candida albicans while larvae inoculated 1 and 4 h post-infection showed significantly increased survival (P < 0.01) compared to control larvae. Administration of these compounds resulted in an increase over 48 h in the density of insect haemocytes (immune cells) but there was no widespread activation of genes for antimicrobial peptides. This work demonstrates that G. mellonella larvae may be employed to ascertain the antifungal efficacy of silver(I) compounds and offers a rapid and effective means of assessing the in vivo activity of inorganic antimicrobial compounds.
authors.affiliation: Medical Mycology Unit, NICB, Department of Biology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co., Kildare, Ireland.
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rowan
authors.forename: Ciara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: Malachy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects*; D009036:Moths / Q000187:drug effects*; D010618:Phenanthrolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D018030:Silver Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012835:Silver Nitrate / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010618:Phenanthrolines; D018030:Silver Compounds; D012835:Silver Nitrate; C025205:1,10-phenanthroline