Can Galleria mellonella be compared to mammalian models for in vivo assays?

a Systematic Review

Authors

Abstract

Purpose: To conduct a systematic review on the use of Galleria mellonella as a non-mammalian model for in vivo studies and assess its potential as an analogue to mammalian models. Methods: This review followed PRISMA guidelines and its guiding question was: “Can G. mellonella be used as an analogue to mammalian models in biological assays?”, defined by PICOs strategy. Searches were conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE Ovid, Scopus, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were in vivo studies that performed the same assays in both G. mellonella and mammalian models, published as research articles in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Other insect models and reviews were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified SYRCLE tool. Results: Seven studies were included and their assays investigated virulence, antimicrobial efficacy, and toxicity in both G. mellonella and mammalian models. One study showed low risk of bias, five moderate risk, and one high risk. Comparable trends were observed for virulence and drug efficacy, although methodological heterogeneity limited direct comparisons. Conclusion: G. mellonella is a valuable preclinical model but cannot fully replace mammalian studies. It is best applied as a preliminary screening tool, and further comparative research is required to validate its translational relevance.

Keywords: biological assays, greater wax moth, mammalian model.

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Author Biographies

Vitória Batista Clemente, Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Discente (Doutorado) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil.

Matheus Fernandes Lasneau Moraes, Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Discente (Doutorado) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil. 

Taleessa Vieira Gomes, Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Discente (Doutorado) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil. 

Amanda Marota de Oliveira, Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Discente (Mestrado) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil. 

Mariana Simões de Oliveira, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF)

Discente (doutorado) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil. 

Ana Carolina Morais Apolônio, Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Docente do Programa de Pós-Graduação, departamento de parasitologia, microbiologia e imunologia, Instituto de ciências biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil. 

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Published

2026-01-31

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 4 (2025): Revista Pró-UniverSUS

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Vitória Batista Clemente, Matheus Fernandes Lasneau Moraes, Taleessa Vieira Gomes, Amanda Marota de Oliveira, Mariana Simões de Oliveira, Ana Carolina Morais Apolônio

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