Phenotypic differences of Cryptococcus molecular types and their implications for virulence in a Drosophila model of infection.
Infect Immun
; 82(7): 3058-65, 2014 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24799631
ABSTRACT
Compared to Cryptococcus neoformans, little is known about the virulence of the molecular types in Cryptococcus gattii. We compared in vitro virulence factor production and survival data using a Drosophila model of infection to further characterize the phenotypic features of different cryptococcal molecular types. Forty-nine different isolates were inoculated into wild-type flies and followed for survival. In vitro, isolates were assessed for growth at 30 and 37°C, melanin production, capsule size, resistance to H(2)O(2), and antifungal susceptibility. A mediator model was used to assess molecular type and virulence characteristics as predictors of survival in the fly model. VGIII was the most virulent molecular type in flies (P < 0.001). At 30°C, VGIII isolates grew most rapidly; at 37°C, VNI isolates grew best. C. gattii capsules were larger than those of C. neoformans (P < 0.001). Mediator model analysis found a strong correlation of Drosophila survival with molecular type and with growth at 30°C. We found molecular-type-specific differences in C. gattii in growth at different temperatures, melanin production, capsule size, ability to resist hydrogen peroxide, and antifungal susceptibility, while growth at 30°C and the VGIII molecular type were strongly associated with virulence in a Drosophila model of infection.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Drosophila melanogaster
/
Cryptococcus gattii
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article