Candida albicans infected Manduca sexta expression analysis

Each year, fungi kill more patients than malaria or tuberculosis. It is thus imperative to have suitable host models for the study of fungal virulence and antifungal therapies. Here, we established M. sexta caterpillars as a novel host model for fungal disease. Fifth instar caterpillars are susceptible to the leading fungal pathogens of humans, can be rescued by antifungal drug treatment and facilitate tracking of fungal burden throughout the course of infection. This study also aimed to quantify expression differences in M. sexta caterpillars infected with the Candida albicans wild type and hog1 mutant strains, which is attenuated in virulence. To this end, three caterpillars were infected with either strain and mRNA extracted from the midgut 24 hours post infection. Both strains elicit different expression response profiles. Comparing the wild type response to mouse expression data, revealed a shared response to fungal pathogens.