title: In vivo correlates of molecularly inferred virulence among extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) in the wax moth Galleria mellonella model system.
abstract: In contrast to commensal Escherichia coli, extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains possess an array of virulence-associated genes. We sought to establish the feasibility of using the invertebrate Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth) for assessing ExPEC virulence and to investigate the correlation between genotypic determinants of virulence and in vivo pathogenicity. We observed a correlation between the number of virulence genes and larval survival, such that ExPEC isolates with higher virulence scores killed larvae significantly faster than isolates with lower virulence scores. By correlating genotypic and phenotypic virulence, we provide preliminary validation of this model for future studies investigating ExPEC virulence.
authors: Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences; University of Auckland; Auckland, New Zealand; Institute of Environmental Science and Research; Wellington, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery; University of Auckland; Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Deborah A
authors: DA
authors: Williamson
authors: Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences; University of Auckland; Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Grant
authors: G
authors: Mills
authors: Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Minneapolis, MN USA.
authors: James R
authors: JR
authors: Johnson
authors: Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Minneapolis, MN USA.
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Porter
authors: Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences; University of Auckland; Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery; University of Auckland; Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Siouxsie
authors: S
authors: Wiles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007814:Larva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009036:Moths / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014774:Virulence; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D037521:Virulence Factors
keywords: Escherichia coli; ExPEC; Galleria mellonella; in vivo; infection model; virulence