Candida albicans increases the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus during polymicrobial infection of Galleria mellonella larvae

Abstract

This study detailed the responses of Galleria mellonella larvae to disseminated infection caused by co-infection with Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus . Doses of C. albicans (1×10 5 larva −1 ) and S. aureus (1×10 4 larva −1 ) were non-lethal in mono-infection but when combined significantly ( P <0.05) reduced larval survival at 24, 48 and 72 h relative to larvae receiving S. aureus (2×10 4 larva −1 ) alone. Co-infected larvae displayed a significantly higher density of S. aureus larva −1 compared to larvae infected solely with S. aureus . Co-infection resulted in dissemination throughout the host and the appearance of large nodules. Co-infection of larvae with C. albicans and S. aureus (2×10 4 larva −1 ) resulted in an increase in the density of circulating haemocytes compared to that in larvae infected with only S. aureus . Proteomic analysis of co-infected larval haemolymph revealed increased abundance of proteins associated with immune responses to bacterial and fungal infection such as cecropin-A (+45.4-fold), recognition proteins [e.g. peptidoglycan-recognition protein LB (+14-fold)] and proteins associated with nodule formation [e.g. Hdd11 (+33.3-fold)]. A range of proteins were also decreased in abundance following co-infection, including apolipophorin (−62.4-fold), alpha-esterase 45 (−7.7-fold) and serine proteinase (−6.2-fold). Co-infection of larvae resulted in enhanced proliferation of S. aureus compared to mono-infection and an immune response showing many similarities to the innate immune response of mammals to infection. The utility of G. mellonella larvae for studying polymicrobial infection is highlighted.

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