Wolbachia enhances the survival of Drosophila infected with fungal pathogens

Wolbachia bacteria of arthropods are at the forefront of basic and translational research on multipartite host-symbiont-pathogen interactions. These vertically transmitted microbes are the most widespread endosymbionts on the planet due to factors including host reproductive manipulation and fitness benefits. Importantly, some strains of Wolbachia can inhibit viral pathogenesis within and between arthropod hosts. Mosquitoes carrying the wMel Wolbachia strain of Drosophila melanogaster have a greatly reduced capacity to spread viruses like dengue and Zika to humans. While significant research efforts have focused on viruses, relatively little attention has been given to Wolbachia-fungal interactions despite the ubiquity of fungal entomopathogens in nature. Here, we demonstrate that Wolbachia increase the longevity of their Drosophila melanogaster hosts when challenged with a spectrum of yeast and filamentous fungal pathogens. We find that this pattern can vary based on host genotype, sex..., All data in this dataset was collected in 2022-2023 in a laboratory setting from manual recordings of surviving flies and eggs laid or hatched, or qPCR Ct values. Minimal processing was applied to all data, including calculating proportions, delta Ct values, and visualization and statistical analysis in R., , # Data from: Wolbachia enhances the survival of *Drosophila* infected with fungal pathogens

[https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02130-0](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02130-0)

## Description of the data and file structure

This version of the README file was generated on 03-07-25 by Jessamyn Perlmutter.

### General Information

1. Title of Dataset: *Wolbachia* enhances the survival of *Drosophila* infected with fungal pathogens
2. Author Information:
1. Principal investigator contact information

Name: Robert Unckless

Institution: University of Kansas

Address: Lawrence, KS, USA

Email: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])

2\. First author contact information

Name: Jessamyn Perlmutter

Institution: University of Kansas

Address: Lawrence, KS, USA

Email: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])
3. Dates of data collection: 2022-2023
4. Location of data collection: University of Kansas, Lawrence
5. Funding sources tha...,