Developing insect models for the study of current and emerging human pathogens

• Published in: FEMS microbiology letters Vol. 263; no. 1; pp. 1 - 9
• Main Authors: Scully, Lisa R., Bidochka, Michael J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.10.2006; Blackwell
• Subjects: Animals; Bacteriological methods and techniques used in bacteriology; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Communicable Diseases, Emerging - immunology; Communicable Diseases, Emerging - microbiology; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Reservoirs; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; host jumping; Humans; immunity; insect pathogenesis; Insecta; Insecta - immunology; Insecta - microbiology; Invertebrates; Microbiology; model host; Models, Animal; Mycological methods and techniques used in mycology; Mycology; Opportunistic Infections - immunology; Opportunistic Infections - microbiology; pathogen evolution; pathogen virulence; Pathology; Virulence; Zoonoses; Human; insect pathogenesis; model host; Pathogenesis; Biological evolution; Insecta; Virulence; pathogen evolution; Reservoir; Host; pathogen virulence; Immunity; Fungi; Arthropoda; host jumping; Bacteria; Models; Invertebrata; Jumping; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0378-1097; 1574-6968
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00388.x

The study of human diseases requires the testing of microorganisms in model systems. Although mammals are typically used, we argue the validity of using insects as models in order to examine human diseases, particularly the growing number of opportunistic microorganisms. Insects can be used in large numbers, are easily manipulated, and are not subject to the same ethical concerns as mammalian systems. Insects and mammals have many parallels with respect to microbial pathogenesis, from proteinaceous integuments that require breaching before infection to similarities in their innate immune responses. Reactions of insects to Candida and Pseudomonas spp. infections show good correlation with mouse models, providing precedent‐setting examples of the study of human pathogens using insects. Insects as pathogen hosts also warrant study because they may act as reservoirs for emerging human pathogens. Finally, insect models may be used to examine the evolutionary processes involved in the acquisition of virulence factors and host‐jumping mechanisms indispensable to emerging pathogens. Insect models may be used in ‘niche’ investigations where large sample sizes can facilitate rapid, informative screening of opportunistic diseases and provide insights into pathogen evolution, while reducing the cost and ethical concerns associated with mammalian models.