GALLERIA MELLONELLA LARVAE AS AN IN VITRO MODEL FOR TESTING MICROBIAL PATHOGENICITY



Dawid Gniazdo, Wanesa Sasal, Aleksandra Omelaniuk, Weronika Brudz and Wiesław Kaca

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Abstract: The larvae of the insect Galleria mellonella have gained wide acceptance as an in vivo model for the study of virulence in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. Importantly, G. mellonella offers an alternative, low-cost, and ethically acceptable method of assessing pathogens. These insects have a number of advantages, including ease of breeding, a rapid developmental cycle, low maintenance costs, and ease of experimental manipulation. Most importantly, G. mellonella larvae have a complete immune system and a nonspecific immune response similar to that of humans, making them a valuable model for studying pathogen-host interactions. Furthermore, using this model, it is possible to test the efficacy of various chemical compounds or natural substances that show antimicrobial activity. In this literature review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent studies of the use of G. mellonella in virulence analyses and as a platform for testing the efficacy of new drugs.