Salmonella's long-term relationship with its host

Salmonella Typhimurium exploits host polyamines for assembly of the type 3 secretion machinery

Bacterial pathogens utilize the factors of their hosts to infect them, but which factors they exploit remain poorly defined. Here, we show that a pathogenic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm) exploits host polyamines for the functional expression of virulence factors. An STm mutant strain lacking principal genes required for polyamine synthesis and transport exhibited impaired infectivity in mice. A polyamine uptake-impaired strain of STm was unable to inject effectors of the type 3 secretion system into host cells due to a failure of needle assembly. STm infection stimulated host polyamine production by increasing arginase expression. The decline in polyamine levels caused by difluoromethylornithine, which inhibits host polyamine production, attenuated STm colonization, whereas polyamine supplementation augmented STm pathogenesis. Our work reveals that host polyamines are a key factor promoting STm infection, and therefore a promising therapeutic target for bacterial infection.

Quantification of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium Population Dynamics in Murine Infection Using a Highly Diverse Barcoded Library

Murine models are often used to study the pathogenicity and dissemination of the enteric pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Here, we quantified S. Typhimurium population dynamics in mice using the STAMPR analytic pipeline and a highly diverse S. Typhimurium barcoded library containing ~55,000 unique strains distinguishable by genomic barcodes by enumerating S. Typhimurium founding populations and deciphering routes of spread in mice. We found that a severe bottleneck allowed only one in a million cells from an oral inoculum to establish a niche in the intestine. Furthermore, we observed compartmentalization of pathogen populations throughout the intestine, with few barcodes shared between intestinal segments and feces. This severe bottleneck widened and compartmentalization was reduced after streptomycin treatment, suggesting the microbiota plays a key role in restricting the pathogen's colonization and movement within the intestine. Additionally, there was minimal sharing between the intestine and extraintestinal organ populations, indicating dissemination to extraintestinal sites occurs rapidly, before substantial pathogen expansion in the intestine. Bypassing the intestinal bottleneck by inoculating mice via intravenous or intraperitoneal injection revealed that Salmonella re-enters the intestine after establishing niches in extraintestinal sites by at least two distinct pathways. One pathway results in a diverse intestinal population. The other re-seeding pathway is through the bile, where the pathogen is often clonal, leading to clonal intestinal populations and correlates with gallbladder pathology. Together, these findings deepen our understanding of Salmonella population dynamics.

Defying the odds: Determinants of the antimicrobial response of Salmonella Typhi and their interplay

Salmonella Typhi, the invasive serovar of S. enterica subspecies enterica, causes typhoid fever in healthy human hosts. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has consistently challenged the successful treatment of typhoid fever with conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Salmonella is acquired either by mutations in the genomic DNA or by acquiring extrachromosomal DNA via horizontal gene transfer. In addition, Salmonella can form a subpopulation of antibiotic persistent (AP) cells that can survive at high concentrations of antibiotics. These have reduced the effectiveness of the first and second lines of antibiotics used to treat Salmonella infection. The recurrent and chronic carriage of S. Typhi in human hosts further complicates the treatment process, as a remarkable shift in the immune response from pro-inflammatory Th1 to anti-inflammatory Th2 is observed. Recent studies have also highlighted the overlap between AP, persistent infection (PI) and AMR. These incidents have revealed several areas of research. In this review, we have put forward a timeline for the evolution of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella and discussed the different mechanisms of the same availed by the pathogen at the genotypic and phenotypic levels. Further, we have presented a detailed discussion on Salmonella antibiotic persistence (AP), PI, the host and bacterial virulence factors that can influence PI, and how both AP and PI can lead to AMR.

Adaptive evolution in asymptomatic host confers MDR Salmonella with enhanced environmental persistence and virulence

As a common cause for food-borne diseases, the Salmonella spp. are generally prevalent among livestock, whereby they are likely to be transmitted to human via environmental contamination. To explore the potential mechanism for prevalence of MDR Salmonella and its risk for dissemination via contaminated environments, we profiled the colonization dynamics of MDR Salmonella in chicken, herein we found that an adaptive evolution, driven by mutagenesis in a small protein-encoding gene (STM14_1829), conferred the multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella with increased fitness in asymptomatic host. Then the mechanistic study demonstrated that only one amino acid substitution in small protein STM14_1829 rendered MDR Salmonella capable to better invade and persist in phagocytotic cells by modulating bacterial flagella overexpression. Concerningly, the evolved Salmonella was also more resilient to the potential stressors generally found in environments and food processing, including heat, cold, adverse pH and oxidations. It implied that the evolved subpopulations are plausibly more persistent in environments once they contaminated through animal manure or human excreta. Moreover, the evolution promoted the pathogenesis caused by MDR Salmonella in susceptible hosts, resulting in higher risk for dissemination of pathogens via contaminated environments. Together, our data provided the novel insights into that in vivo adaptive evolution benefits Salmonella colonization, persistence and pathogenesis, by promoting bacterial tolerance via modulating flagella expression. These findings may explain the rationale behind the increasing prevalence of certain MDR Salmonella clones in livestock and associated environment, and underscoring the need for advanced strategies to tackle the possible evolution of such zoonotic pathogens.

Dynamics of macrophage polarization support Salmonella persistence in a whole living organism

Numerous intracellular bacterial pathogens interfere with macrophage function, including macrophage polarization, to establish a niche and persist. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of macrophage polarization during infection within host remain to be investigated. Here, we implement a model of persistent Salmonella Typhimurium infection in zebrafish, which allows visualization of polarized macrophages and bacteria in real time at high resolution. While macrophages polarize toward M1-like phenotype to control early infection, during later stages, Salmonella persists inside non-inflammatory clustered macrophages. Transcriptomic profiling of macrophages showed a highly dynamic signature during infection characterized by a switch from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory/pro-regenerative status and revealed a shift in adhesion program. In agreement with this specific adhesion signature, macrophage trajectory tracking identifies motionless macrophages as a permissive niche for persistent Salmonella. Our results demonstrate that zebrafish model provides a unique platform to explore, in a whole organism, the versatile nature of macrophage functional programs during bacterial acute and persistent infections.

Val43 residue of NsrR is crucial for the nitric oxide response of Salmonella Typhimurium

ABSTRACT

In pathogenic bacteria, the flavohemoglobin Hmp is crucial in metabolizing the cytotoxic levels of nitric oxide (NO) produced in phagocytic cells, contributing to bacterial virulence. Hmp expression is predominantly regulated by the Rrf2 family transcription repressor NsrR in an NO-dependent manner; however, the underlying molecular mechanism in enterobacteria remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified Val43 of Salmonella Typhimurium NsrR (StNsrR) as a critical amino acid residue for regulating Hmp expression. The Val43-to-Ala-substituted mutant NsrR isolated through random and site-directed mutagenesis showed high binding affinity to the target DNA irrespective of NO exposure, resulting in a severe reduction in hmp transcription and slow NO metabolism in Salmonella under NO-producing conditions. Conversely, the Val43-to-Glu-substituted NsrR caused effects similar to nsrR null mutation, which directed hmp transcription and NO metabolism in a constitutive way. Comparative analysis of the primary sequences of NsrR and another NO-sensing Rrf2 family regulator, IscR, from diverse bacteria, revealed that Val43 of enterobacterial NsrR corresponds to Ala in Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Streptomyces coelicolor NsrR and Glu in enterobacterial IscR, all of which are located in the DNA recognition helix α3. The predicted structure of StNsrR in complex with the hmp DNA suggests dissimilar spatial stoichiometry in the interactions of Val43 and its substituted residues with the target DNA, consistent with the observed phenotypic changes in StNsrR Val43 mutants. Our findings highlight the discriminative roles of the NsrR recognition helix in regulating species-specific target gene expression, facilitating effective NO detoxification strategies in bacteria across diverse environments.

IMPORTANCE

The precise regulation of flavohemoglobin Hmp expression by NsrR is critical for bacterial fitness, as excessive Hmp expression in the absence of NO can disturb bacterial redox homeostasis. While the molecular structure of Streptomyces coelicolor NsrR has been recently identified, the specific molecular structures of NsrR proteins in enterobacteria remain unknown. Our discovery of the crucial role of Val43 in the DNA recognition helix α3 of Salmonella NsrR offers valuable insights into the Hmp modulation under NO stress. Furthermore, the observed amino acid polymorphisms in the α3 helices of NsrR proteins across different bacterial species suggest the diverse evolution of NsrR structure and gene regulation in response to varying levels of NO pressure within their ecological niches.

Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance, Virulence, and Clonality in Salmonella Isolates from Wild Animals in Algeria

This study investigated Salmonella spp. in wild animals in Algeria, focusing on their prevalence, serotypes, antibiotic resistance, and virulence profiles. From fecal samples collected between May 2021 and June 2022, 1.9% showed Salmonella shedding. The identified serotypes included S. Bredeney, S. Enteritidis, S. Altona, and S. Virchow. Except for S. Altona, all isolates were resistant to quinolones, with S. Bredeney strains, exhibiting multidrug resistance. Whole-genome sequencing revealed various resistance genes and mutations in gyrA or parC genes. Additionally, plasmids IncX1 and ColpVC were detected in several isolates. A comprehensive analysis identified 201 virulence genes. These findings contribute to understanding Salmonella in wild animal populations and their potential impact on public health.

Subversion strategies of lysosomal killing by intracellular pathogens

Many pathogenic organisms need to reach either an intracellular compartment or the cytoplasm of a target cell for their survival, replication or immune system evasion. Intracellular pathogens frequently penetrate into the cell through the endocytic and phagocytic pathways (clathrin-mediated endocytosis, phagocytosis and macropinocytosis) that culminates in fusion with lysosomes. However, several mechanisms are triggered by pathogenic microorganisms - protozoan, bacteria, virus and fungus - to avoid destruction by lysosome fusion, such as rupture of the phagosome and thereby release into the cytoplasm, avoidance of autophagy, delaying in both phagolysosome biogenesis and phagosomal maturation and survival/replication inside the phagolysosome. Here we reviewed the main data dealing with phagosome maturation and evasion from lysosomal killing by different bacteria, protozoa, fungi and virus.

Strategies adopted by Salmonella to survive in host: a review

Salmonella, a Gram-negative bacterium that infects humans and animals, causes diseases ranging from gastroenteritis to severe systemic infections. Here, we discuss various strategies used by Salmonella against host cell defenses. Epithelial cell invasion largely depends on a Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI)-1-encoded type 3 secretion system, a molecular syringe for injecting effector proteins directly into host cells. The internalization of Salmonella into macrophages is primarily driven by phagocytosis. After entering the host cell cytoplasm, Salmonella releases many effectors to achieve intracellular survival and replication using several secretion systems, primarily an SPI-2-encoded type 3 secretion system. Salmonella-containing vacuoles protect Salmonella from contacting bactericidal substances in epithelial cells and macrophages. Salmonella modulates the immunity, metabolism, cell cycle, and viability of host cells to expand its survival in the host, and the intracellular environment of Salmonella-infected cells promotes its virulence. This review provides insights into how Salmonella subverts host cell defenses for survival.

Determinants of persistent Salmonella infections

Persistent bacterial infections constitute an enormous challenge for public health. Amongst infections with other bacteria, infections with typhoidal and nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica serovars can result in long-term infections of the human and animal host. Persistent infections that are asymptomatic are difficult to identify and thus can serve as a silent reservoir for transmission. Symptomatic persistent infections are often difficult to treat as they harbor a combination of antibiotic-tolerant and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and boost the spread of genetic antibiotic resistance. In the last couple of years, the field has made some major progress in understanding the role of persisters, their reservoirs as well as their interplay with host factors in persistent Salmonella infections.

Results and lessons learned from the sbv IMPROVER metagenomics diagnostics for inflammatory bowel disease challenge

A growing body of evidence links gut microbiota changes with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), raising the potential benefit of exploiting metagenomics data for non-invasive IBD diagnostics. The sbv IMPROVER metagenomics diagnosis for inflammatory bowel disease challenge investigated computational metagenomics methods for discriminating IBD and nonIBD subjects. Participants in this challenge were given independent training and test metagenomics data from IBD and nonIBD subjects, which could be wither either raw read data (sub-challenge 1, SC1) or processed Taxonomy- and Function-based profiles (sub-challenge 2, SC2). A total of 81 anonymized submissions were received between September 2019 and March 2020. Most participants' predictions performed better than random predictions in classifying IBD versus nonIBD, Ulcerative Colitis (UC) versus nonIBD, and Crohn's Disease (CD) versus nonIBD. However, discrimination between UC and CD remains challenging, with the classification quality similar to the set of random predictions. We analyzed the class prediction accuracy, the metagenomics features by the teams, and computational methods used. These results will be openly shared with the scientific community to help advance IBD research and illustrate the application of a range of computational methodologies for effective metagenomic classification.

Biofilm Formation and Control of Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria

Biofilms are microbial aggregation membranes that are formed when microorganisms attach to the surfaces of living or nonliving things. Importantly, biofilm properties provide microorganisms with protection against environmental pressures and enhance their resistance to antimicrobial agents, contributing to microbial persistence and toxicity. Thus, bacterial biofilm formation is part of the bacterial survival mechanism. However, if foodborne pathogens form biofilms, the risk of foodborne disease infections can be greatly exacerbated, which can cause major public health risks and lead to adverse economic consequences. Therefore, research on biofilms and their removal strategies are very important in the food industry. Food waste due to spoilage within the food industry remains a global challenge to environmental sustainability and the security of food supplies. This review describes bacterial biofilm formation, elaborates on the problem associated with biofilms in the food industry, enumerates several kinds of common foodborne pathogens in biofilms, summarizes the current strategies used to eliminate or control harmful bacterial biofilm formation, introduces the current and emerging control strategies, and emphasizes future development prospects with respect to bacterial biofilms.

Toxin-antitoxin systems in bacterial pathogenesis

Toxin-Antitoxin (TA) systems are abundant in prokaryotes and play an important role in various biological processes such as plasmid maintenance, phage inhibition, stress response, biofilm formation, and dormant persister cell generation. TA loci are abundant in pathogenic intracellular micro-organisms and help in their adaptation to the harsh host environment such as nutrient deprivation, oxidation, immune response, and antimicrobials. Several studies have reported the involvement of TA loci in establishing successful infection, intracellular survival, better colonization, adaptation to host stresses, and chronic infection. Overall, the TA loci play a crucial role in bacterial virulence and pathogenesis. Nonetheless, there are some controversies about the role of TA system in stress response, biofilm and persister formation. In this review, we describe the role of the TA systems in bacterial virulence. We discuss the important features of each type of TA system and the recent discoveries identifying key contributions of TA loci in bacterial pathogenesis.

Disease Occurrence in- and the Transferal of Zoonotic Agents by North American Feedlot Cattle

North America is a large producer of beef and contains approximately 12% of the world's cattle inventory. Feedlots are an integral part of modern cattle production in North America, producing a high-quality, wholesome protein food for humans. Cattle, during their final stage, are fed readily digestible high-energy density rations in feedlots. Cattle in feedlots are susceptible to certain zoonotic diseases that impact cattle health, growth performance, and carcass characteristics, as well as human health. Diseases are often transferred amongst pen-mates, but they can also originate from the environment and be spread by vectors or fomites. Pathogen carriage in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle often leads to direct or indirect contamination of foods and the feedlot environment. This leads to the recirculation of these pathogens that have fecal-oral transmission within a feedlot cattle population for an extended time. Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter are commonly associated with animal-derived foods and can be transferred to humans through several routes such as contact with infected cattle and the consumption of contaminated meat. Brucellosis, anthrax, and leptospirosis, significant but neglected zoonotic diseases with debilitating impacts on human and animal health, are also discussed.

Asiatic acid and andrographolide reduce hippocampal injury through suppressing neuroinflammation caused by Salmonella typhimurium infection

Damage caused by Salmonella is not only limited to the gastrointestinal tract, but also occurs in the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this study was to explore the protective effects of asiatic acid (AA) and andrographolide (AD) on the CNS through simulating common infection in mice by oral administration of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium). The results showed that the neurons in the hippocampus of mice were damaged after S. typhimurium invaded CNS in mice, and the inflammation was increased, which was manifested by the increased expression of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-12b and the activation of NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes. The damage and inflammatory response of mouse hippocampal neurons were effectively reduced by AA or AD pretreatment. Furthermore, we observed the significant activation of microglia after S. typhimurium infection. AA and AD attenuated S. typhimurium -induced hippocampal injury by reducing the inflammatory response on microglia. The findings suggest that the AA and AD protect CNS from injury caused by S. typhimurium infection through inhibiting over expression of multiple neuroinflammatory mediators and NLRP3 inflammasome in mice.

The LysR-Type Transcription Regulator YhjC Promotes the Systemic Infection of Salmonella Typhimurium in Mice

Salmonella Typhimurium is a Gram-negative intestinal pathogen that can infect humans and a variety of animals, causing gastroenteritis or serious systemic infection. Replication within host macrophages is essential for S. Typhimurium to cause systemic infection. By analyzing transcriptome data, the expression of yhjC gene, which encodes a putative regulator in S. Typhimurium, was found to be significantly up-regulated after the internalization of Salmonella by macrophages. Whether yhjC gene is involved in S. Typhimurium systemic infection and the related mechanisms were investigated in this study. The deletion of yhjC reduced the replication ability of S. Typhimurium in macrophages and decreased the colonization of S. Typhimurium in mouse systemic organs (liver and spleen), while increasing the survival rate of the infected mice, suggesting that YhjC protein promotes systemic infection by S. Typhimurium. Furthermore, by using transcriptome sequencing and RT-qPCR assay, the transcription of several virulence genes, including spvD, iroCDE and zraP, was found to be down-regulated after the deletion of yhjC. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that YhjC protein can directly bind to the promoter region of spvD and zraP to promote their transcription. These findings suggest that YhjC contributes to the systemic virulence of S. Typhimurium via the regulation of multiple virulence genes and YhjC could represent a promising target to control S. Typhimurium infection.

Immune evasion and persistence in enteric bacterial pathogens

The major function of the mammalian immune system is to prevent and control infections caused by enteropathogens that collectively have altered human destiny. In fact, as the gastrointestinal tissues are the major interface of mammals with the environment, up to 70% of the human immune system is dedicated to patrolling them The defenses are multi-tiered and include the endogenous microflora that mediate colonization resistance as well as physical barriers intended to compartmentalize infections. The gastrointestinal tract and associated lymphoid tissue are also protected by sophisticated interleaved arrays of active innate and adaptive immune defenses. Remarkably, some bacterial enteropathogens have acquired an arsenal of virulence factors with which they neutralize all these formidable barriers to infection, causing disease ranging from mild self-limiting gastroenteritis to in some cases devastating human disease.

Affinity of cefotiam for the alternative penicillin binding protein PBP3SAL used by Salmonella inside host eukaryotic cells

BACKGROUND

Following the invasion of eukaryotic cells, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium replaces PBP2/PBP3, main targets of β-lactam antibiotics, with PBP2SAL/PBP3SAL, two homologue peptidoglycan synthases absent in Escherichia coli. PBP3SAL promotes pathogen cell division in acidic environments independently of PBP3 and shows low affinity for β-lactams that bind to PBP3 such as aztreonam, cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime and cefalotin.

OBJECTIVES

To find compounds with high affinity for PBP3SAL to control Salmonella intracellular infections.

METHODS

An S. Typhimurium ΔPBP3 mutant that divides using PBP3SAL and its parental wild-type strain, were exposed to a library of 1520 approved drugs in acidified (pH 4.6) nutrient-rich LB medium. Changes in optical density associated with cell filamentation, a read-out of blockage in cell division, were monitored. Compounds causing filamentation in the ΔPBP3 mutant but not in wild-type strain-the latter strain expressing both PBP3 and PBP3SAL in LB pH 4.6-were selected for further study. The bactericidal effect due to PBP3SAL inhibition was evaluated in vitro using a bacterial infection model of cultured fibroblasts.

RESULTS

The cephalosporin cefotiam exhibited higher affinity for PBP3SAL than for PBP3 in bacteria growing in acidified LB pH 4.6 medium. Cefotiam also proved to be effective against intracellular Salmonella in a PBP3SAL-dependent manner. Conversely, cefuroxime, which has higher affinity for PBP3, showed decreased effectiveness in killing intracellular Salmonella.

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotics with affinity for PBP3SAL, like the cephalosporin cefotiam, have therapeutic value for treating Salmonella intracellular infections.

Cytokines and cecal microbiome modulations conferred by a dual vaccine in Salmonella-infected layers

Zoonotic Salmonella infection is a critical and challenging issue for public health. Since human infections are mainly associated with consuming contaminated chicken products, strategies to reduce Salmonella carriage and shedding are essential. Here we investigate the mechanisms of the live attenuated Salmonella vaccine (AviPro Salmonella Duo) against Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infection. We focused on inflammatory-related cytokine expressions and cecal microbiota modulations in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) and field layers. Forty-eight 2-day-old SPF layers were randomly allotted into S.SEvc, S.SEc, S.Vc, and S.Ct groups in trial 1. The equal number of filed layers at 25 wk were allocated into SEvc, SEc, Vc, and Ct groups in trial 2. Each group contained 12 layers. Groups were further assigned for vaccination (S.Vc and Vc groups), SE challenge (S.SEc and SEc groups), vaccination and the following SE challenge (S.SEvc and SEvc groups), or the placebo treatment (S.Ct and Ct groups). Cecal tissues and contents of layers on day 14 post-SE-challenges were collected for cytokine mRNA expression and 16S rRNA metagenomic analyses. We found that SE challenges significantly upregulated expressions of IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-12β, and NFκB1A in SPF layers. The vaccine notably counteracted the levels of IFNα, IFNγ, and NFκB1A activated by SE attacks. The vaccination, SE challenge, and their combination did not significantly affect alpha diversities but promoted dissimilarities in microbial communities between groups. Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes and Faecalibacterium_prausnitzii were identified as contributory taxa in the cecal microbiota of SE-challenged and vaccinated SPF layers. A significantly higher abundance of Faecalibacterium_prausnitzii in the ceca further correlated with the vaccination conferred protection against SE infection. In contrast, Oscillibacter_valericigenes and Mediterraneibacter_glycyrrhizinilyticus were featured taxa in Salmonella-infected field layers. Megamonas_hypermegale and Megamonas_rupellensis were identified as featured taxa in vaccinated field layers compared to SE-infected layers. To conclude, applying a dual Salmonella vaccine in this study modulated expressions of inflammatory-related cytokines and the cecal microbiome in layers, contributing to protection against SE infection. The feature microbes are promising for developing predictive indices and as antibiotic alternatives added to feed to reduce the risk of Salmonella shedding and contamination.

Evaluating Salmonella pullorum dissemination and shedding patterns and antibody production in infected chickens

BACKGROUND

Pullorum disease caused by Salmonella pullorum is one of the most important infectious diseases in the poultry industry, responsible for causing substantial economic losses globally. On farms, the traditional method to detect S. pullorum infection mainly involves the collection of feces and sera to test for antigens and antibodies, respectively, but the regularity of Salmonella pullorum dissemination in internal organs and shedding patterns and antibody production in infected chickens remains unclear. Herein we aimed to investigate the dissemination of S. pullorum to different organs and bacterial shedding patterns in the faeces as well as serum antibody production post-infection in chickens of different ages.

RESULT

In this study, the liver and heart of 2-day-old chickens showed the highest copy numbers of S. pullorum at 6.4 × 10⁶ and 1.9 × 10⁶ copies of DNA target sequences/30 mg, respectively. In case of 10-day-old chickens, the percentage of S. pullorum fecal shedding (0%-40%) and antibody production (0%-56.6%) markedly fluctuated during the entire experiment; furthermore, in case of 42-week-old chickens, the percentage of birds showing S. pullorum shedding in the faeces showed a downward trend (from 63.33% to 6.6% in the oral inoculation group and from 43.3% to 10% in the intraperitoneal injection group), while that of birds showing serum antibody production remained at a high level (38.3% and 80% in the oral inoculation and intraperitoneal injection groups, respectively). We also performed cohabitation experiments, showed that 15% 10-day-old and 3.33% 42-week-old chickens were infected via the horizontal transmission in cohabitation with S. pullorum infected chickens, and revealed a high risk of horizontal transmission of S. pullorum.

CONCLUSION

This study systematically evaluated the dissemination of S. pullorum in internal organs and bacterial fecal shedding patterns, and antibody production in infected chickens. Collectively, our findings indicate how to effectively screen S. pullorum-negative chickens on livestock farms and should also help in the development of measures to control and eradicate S. pullorum.

Effectiveness of Administering a Mixture of Lactic Acid Bacteria to Control Salmonella ser. Enteritidis Infections in Broilers

Simple Summary

Salmonella infection is one of the main causes of food poisoning through poultry consumption. Among the various methods used to control this infection, the use of lactic acid bacteria is economical, with little risk of developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We selected three Lactobacillus spp. capable of inhibiting Salmonella proliferation in vitro and administered their mixture to 1-day-old chicks to investigate their effect. We suggest that the Lactobacillus mixture formulated in this study aids in protecting poultry farms from Salmonella contamination, further securing food safety.

Abstract

Non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. cause persistent asymptomatic infections in poultry. The consumption of Salmonella-infected poultry products is associated with food poisoning. One of the pathogens that causes such infections is Salmonella ser. Enteritidis (SE). Therefore, alternative measures are required for better control of salmonellosis and to reduce potential antibiotic use. Here, the efficacy of a mixture of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), formulated based on competitive exclusion, was evaluated. The LAB mixture was administered to 1- to 20-day-old chickens using different schemes; the chickens were then inoculated with an SE strain, which was previously identified to be prevalent in broiler breeder farms. Even with short-term administration, the group treated with LAB exhibited lower SE isolation levels in the spleen and cecal content and greater weight gain than that in the control group. This protective efficacy of LAB was retained even after two weeks without LAB administration. According to the results of animal experiments and field tests, evidence of SE infection was absent after treatment of the animals with the LAB formulation used in this study. Thus, this LAB mixture can be used as a potential strategy for protecting poultry farms from Salmonella contamination. This will also help reduce potential antibiotic use.

Innovative Treatments Enhancing the Functionality of Gut Microbiota to Improve Quality and Microbiological Safety of Foods of Animal Origin

The gastrointestinal tract, or gut, microbiota is a microbial community containing a variety of microorganisms colonizing throughout the gut that plays a crucial role in animal health, growth performance, and welfare. The gut microbiota is closely associated with the quality and microbiological safety of foods and food products originating from animals. The gut microbiota of the host can be modulated and enhanced in ways that improve the quality and safety of foods of animal origin. Probiotics—also known as direct-fed microbials—competitive exclusion cultures, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been utilized to achieve this goal. Reducing foodborne pathogen colonization in the gut prior to slaughter and enhancing the chemical, nutritional, or sensory characteristics of foods (e.g., meat, milk, and eggs) are two of many positive outcomes derived from the use of these competitive enhancement–based treatments in food-producing animals.

Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Food Science and Technology, Volume 13 is March 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

In Vivo Tracking of Bacterial Colonization in Different Murine Models Using Bioluminescence: The Example of Salmonella

Applications of bioluminescence for the in vivo study of pathogenic microorganisms are numerous, ranging from the quantification of virulence gene expression to measuring the effect of antimicrobial molecules on the colonization of tissues and organs by the pathogen. Most studies are performed in mice, but recent works demonstrate that this technique is applicable to larger animals like fish, guinea pigs, ferrets, and chickens. Here, we describe the construction and the utilization of a constitutively luminescent strain of Salmonella Typhimurium to monitor in vivo and ex vivo the colonization of mice in the gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, and asymptomatic carriage models of Salmonella infection.

Revisiting Persistent Salmonella Infection and the Carrier State: What Do We Know?

One characteristic of the few Salmonella enterica serovars that produce typhoid-like infections is that disease-free persistent infection can occur for months or years in a small number of individuals post-convalescence. The bacteria continue to be shed intermittently which is a key component of the epidemiology of these infections. Persistent chronic infection occurs despite high levels of circulating specific IgG. We have reviewed the information on the basis for persistence in S. Typhi, S. Dublin, S. Gallinarum, S. Pullorum, S. Abortusovis and also S. Typhimurium in mice as a model of persistence. Persistence appears to occur in macrophages in the spleen and liver with shedding either from the gall bladder and gut or the reproductive tract. The involvement of host genetic background in defining persistence is clear from studies with the mouse but less so with human and poultry infections. There is increasing evidence that the organisms (i) modulate the host response away from the typical Th1-type response normally associated with immune clearance of an acute infection to Th2-type or an anti-inflammatory response, and that (ii) the bacteria modulate transformation of macrophage from M1 to M2 type. The bacterial factors involved in this are not yet fully understood. There are early indications that it might be possible to remodulate the response back towards a Th1 response by using cytokine therapy.

Association of quorum sensing and biofilm formation with Salmonella virulence: story beyond gathering and cross-talk

Enteric fever (typhoid and paratyphoid fever) is a public health concern which contributes to mortality and morbidity all around the globe. It is caused mainly due to ingestion of contaminated food and water with a gram negative, rod-shaped, flagellated bacterium known as Salmonella enterica serotype typhi (typhoid fever) or paratyphi (paratyphoid fever). Clinical problems associated with Salmonellosis are mainly bacteraemia, gastroenteritis and enteric fever. The bacteria undergo various mechanisms to escape itself from immune reaction of the host, modulating immune response at the site of infection leading to virulence factor production and anti-microbial resistance. Biofilm is one of the adaptation mechanisms through which Salmonella survives in unfavourable conditions and thus is considered as a major threat to public health. Another property of the bacteria is "Quorum Sensing", which is a cell-cell communication and most of the pathogenic bacteria use it to coordinate the production of several virulence factors and other behaviours such as swarming and biofilm formation. Earlier, quorum sensing was believed to be just a medium for communication but, later on, its role in virulence has been studied. However, there are negligible information relating to interaction between quorum sensing and biofilm formation and how these events play crucial role in Salmonella pathogenesis. The review is a summary of updated information regarding how Salmonella uses these properties to spread more and survive better, making a challenge for clinicians and public health experts. Therefore, this review would help bring an insight regarding how biofilm formation and quorum sensing are inter-related and their role in pathogenesis and virulence of Salmonella.

Atypical Salmonella Typhimurium persistence in the pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, and its effect on the variation of gene expression involved in the oyster's immune system

Salmonella is one of the most important pathogens involved in food intoxication outbreaks, and in many cases, the intoxication has been linked to shellfish which is typically consumed raw. While much is understood about the interactions between Salmonella and vertebrates, much less is known about its relationships with invertebrates, which could be an overlooked and important aspect to better understand the Salmonella interaction with its diversified hosts. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of preadaptation in seawater microcosms during 12 months on Salmonella Typhimurium by determining its survival capacity within this mollusk over a period of 30 days. The results showed that the stressed bacteria are able to survive in this mollusk at a higher concentration even after thirty days of infection compared to bacteria in the normal state. In order to minimize the effect of an experimental device for one month on the survival of Salmonella, we carried out an in vitro study to determine the number of viable Salmonella in the hemocytes of oysters. Interestingly, we evaluated the effect of the antibacterial activity of different extracts of C. gigas using the solvents (Methanol, Ethanol and acetic acid) specifically against stressed and unstressed Salmonella. Furthermore, we compared the expression of three genes in the oyster Cg-big-def1, timp and sod in response to experimental infections of this mollusk with Vibrio splendidus kb133 and S. Typhimurium LT2DT104 in normal and stressed states. These findings are very important to contribute to explaining several questions about the persistence of S. Typhimurium for a long time in C. gigas and the host's immune response to this microorganism which is considered to be non-virulent for molluscs.

Intra- and inter-breed variation in immune response to acute and sub-chronic Salmonella infection and commercial immune-stimulant in two-layer breeds

Salmonella is one of the most hazardous diseases in poultry farms. Markedly, the application of active immunostimulants is illustrated as potential protective agents against infection in poultry farms. Thus, this work aimed to explore inter- and intra-breed variation in response to acute and subchronic Salmonella enteritidis infection in two-layer breeds (one commercial [Hy-line strain] and another native [Fayoumi breed]). Besides exploring the possible protective effect of a commercial immune modulator (STIMULAN) on the two breeds during the acute infection. The ELISA antibody titer in sub-chronic infections and the expression analysis of some selected genes (IL-1β, LITAF, TGF-β, HSP90 and HSP70) are used as the clinical signs for acute infections to assess the possible protective role of a commercial immunomodulator (STIMULAN). Five groups were used during the acute experiment: G1-control; G2a-susceptible; G2b-resistant birds, G3-which received STIMULAN and G4-which received the infection + STIMULAN. The groups with sub-chronic infections include G1 (control), G2 (high antibody titer) and G3 (low antibody titer). The gene expressions among the susceptible birds during acute infection of both breeds are nearly similar. They only differ in the expression of HSP90 in the Fayoumi breed. However, the resistant birds vary in their gene expression profile. The effect of STIMULAN as a feed additive in non-infected birds was an up-regulation of LITAF, TGF-β, HSP90 in Fayoumi. Moreover, a powerful stimulatory role was observed when both breeds were infected. Both breeds were asymptomatic during the sub-chronic infection. Although, the increased expression of inflammatory-related genes in the Hy-line was considered as an indication of infection persistence. Fayoumi is capable of immune clearance for this infection. Thus, the Fayoumi breed is more resistant to acute Salmonella infection. HSP90 plays a vital role in its resistance. We recommend the use of STIMULAN as an immunomodulator during Salmonella infection.

Detection and differentiation of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium by multiplex quantitative PCR from different poultry matrices

1. The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) based molecular diagnostic kit for rapid diagnosis of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and S. enterica serovar Typhimurium serotypes, which are frequently isolated worldwide from poultry samples.2. Detection and discrimination of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium were performed by targeting the sdf and the STM4492 (putative cytoplasmic protein) gene, respectively. The invA (invasion protein) gene was used to detect Salmonella spp. as a target gene, since it is considered a standard. In this study, a total of 200 bacterial strains (178 Salmonella spp. strains and 22 other genera) were used to test the specificity and sensitivity of the developed kit. The limit of detection (LOD) of the assays was determined to be 10⁰-10¹ cfu/25 g from chicken meat samples artificially contaminated by litter and 10⁰-10¹ cfu/ml for cloacal swab samples.3. The multiplex qPCR results were 100% compatible with conventional serotyping results while the specificity and sensitivity values were 100%. These findings indicated that the newly developed multiplex qPCR technique can provide an alternative method to conventional serotyping of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium in laboratories lacking adequate infrastructure.

The Abundance and Organization of Salmonella Extracellular Polymeric Substances in Gallbladder-Mimicking Environments and In Vivo

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) causes chronic infections by establishing biofilms on cholesterol gallstones. Production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) is key to biofilm development and biofilm architecture depends on which EPSs are made. The presence and spatial distribution of Salmonella EPSs produced in vitro and in vivo were investigated in S. Typhimurium and S. Typhi biofilms by confocal microscopy. Comparisons between serovars and EPS-mutant bacteria were examined by growth on cholesterol-coated surfaces, with human gallstones in ox or human bile, and in mice with gallstones. On cholesterol-coated surfaces, major differences in EPS biomass were not found between serovars. Co-culture biofilms containing wild-type (WT) and EPS-mutant bacteria demonstrated WT compensation for EPS mutations. Biofilm EPS analysis from gallbladder-mimicking conditions found that culture in human bile more consistently replicated the relative abundance and spatial organization of each EPS on gallstones from the chronic mouse model than culture in ox bile. S. Typhimurium biofilms cultured in vitro on gallstones in ox bile exhibited co-localized pairings of curli fimbriae/lipopolysaccharide and O antigen capsule/cellulose while these associations were not present in S. Typhi biofilms or in mouse gallstone biofilms. In general, inclusion of human bile with gallstones in vitro replicated biofilm development on gallstones in vivo, demonstrating its strength as a model for studying biofilm parameters or EPS-directed therapeutic treatments.

Molecular determinants of peaceful coexistence versus invasiveness of non-Typhoidal Salmonella: Implications in long-term side-effects

The genus Salmonella represents a wide range of strains including Typhoidal and Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) isolates that exhibit illnesses of varied pathophysiologies. The more frequent NTS ensues a self-limiting enterocolitis with rare occasions of bacteremia or systemic infections. These self-limiting Salmonella strains are capable of subverting and dampening the host immune system to achieve a more prolonged survival inside the host system thus leading to chronic manifestations. Notably, emergence of new invasive NTS isolates known as invasive Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) have worsened the disease burden significantly in some parts of the world. NTS strains adapt to attain persister phenotype intracellularly and cause relapsing infections. These chronic infections, in susceptible hosts, are also capable of causing diseases like IBS, IBD, reactive arthritis, gallbladder cancer and colorectal cancer. The present understanding of molecular mechanism of how these chronic infections are manifested is quite limited. The current work is an effort to review the prevailing knowledge emanating from a large volume of research focusing on various forms of NTS infections including those that cause localized, systemic and persistent disease. The review will further dwell into the understanding of how this pathogen contributes to the associated long term sequelae.

The Genomics and Cell Biology of Host-Beneficial Intracellular Infections

Microbes gain access to eukaryotic cells as food for bacteria-grazing protists, for host protection by microbe-killing immune cells, or for microbial benefit when pathogens enter host cells to replicate. But microbes can also gain access to a host cell and become an important-often required-beneficial partner. The oldest beneficial microbial infections are the ancient eukaryotic organelles now called the mitochondrion and plastid. But numerous other host-beneficial intracellular infections occur throughout eukaryotes. Here I review the genomics and cell biology of these interactions with a focus on intracellular bacteria. The genomes of host-beneficial intracellular bacteria have features that span a previously unfilled gap between pathogens and organelles. Host cell adaptations to allow the intracellular persistence of beneficial bacteria are found along with evidence for the microbial manipulation of host cells, but the cellular mechanisms of beneficial bacterial infections are not well understood. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Salmonella Biofilms Tolerate Hydrogen Peroxide by a Combination of Extracellular Polymeric Substance Barrier Function and Catalase Enzymes

The ability of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) to cause chronic gallbladder infections is dependent on biofilm growth on cholesterol gallstones. Non-typhoidal Salmonella (e.g. S. Typhimurium) also utilize the biofilm state to persist in the host and the environment. How the pathogen maintains recalcitrance to the host response, and oxidative stress in particular, during chronic infection is poorly understood. Previous experiments demonstrated that S. Typhi and S. Typhimurium biofilms are tolerant to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), but that mutations in the biofilm extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) O antigen capsule, colanic acid, or Vi antigen reduce tolerance. Here, biofilm-mediated tolerance to oxidative stress was investigated using a combination of EPS and catalase mutants, as catalases are important detoxifiers of H₂O₂. Using co-cultured biofilms of wild-type (WT) bacteria with EPS mutants, it was demonstrated that colanic acid in S. Typhimurium and Vi antigen in S. Typhi have a community function and protect all biofilm-resident bacteria rather than to only protect the individual cells producing the EPSs. However, the H₂O₂ tolerance deficiency of a O antigen capsule mutant was unable to be compensated for by co-culture with WT bacteria. For curli fimbriae, both WT and mutant strains are tolerant to H₂O₂ though unexpectedly, co-cultured WT/mutant biofilms challenged with H₂O₂ resulted in sensitization of both strains, suggesting a more nuanced oxidative resistance alteration in these co-cultures. Three catalase mutant (katE, katG and a putative catalase) biofilms were also examined, demonstrating significant reductions in biofilm H₂O₂ tolerance for the katE and katG mutants. Biofilm co-culture experiments demonstrated that catalases exhibit a community function. We further hypothesized that biofilms are tolerant to H₂O₂ because the physical barrier formed by EPSs slows penetration of H₂O₂ into the biofilm to a rate that can be mitigated by intra-biofilm catalases. Compared to WT, EPS-deficient biofilms have a heighted response even to low-dose (2.5 mM) H₂O₂ challenge, confirming that resident bacteria of EPS-deficient biofilms are under greater stress and have limited protection from H₂O₂. Thus, these data provide an explanation for how Salmonella achieves tolerance to H₂O₂ by a combination of an EPS-mediated barrier and enzymatic detoxification.

Sodium butyrate modulates chicken macrophage proteins essential for Salmonella Enteritidis invasion

Salmonella Enteritidis is an intracellular foodborne pathogen that has developed multiple mechanisms to alter poultry intestinal physiology and infect the gut. Short chain fatty acid butyrate is derived from microbiota metabolic activities, and it maintains gut homeostasis. There is limited understanding on the interaction between S. Enteritidis infection, butyrate, and host intestinal response. To fill this knowledge gap, chicken macrophages (also known as HTC cells) were infected with S. Enteritidis, treated with sodium butyrate, and proteomic analysis was performed. A growth curve assay was conducted to determine sub-inhibitory concentration (SIC, concentration that do not affect bacterial growth compared to control) of sodium butyrate against S. Enteritidis. HTC cells were infected with S. Enteritidis in the presence and absence of SIC of sodium butyrate. The proteins were extracted and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. Our results showed that the SIC was 45 mM. Notably, S. Enteritidis-infected HTC cells upregulated macrophage proteins involved in ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation such as ATP synthase subunit alpha (ATP5A1), ATP synthase subunit d, mitochondrial (ATP5PD) and cellular apoptosis such as Cytochrome-c (CYC). Furthermore, sodium butyrate influenced S. Enteritidis-infected HTC cells by reducing the expression of macrophage proteins mediating actin cytoskeletal rearrangements such as WD repeat-containing protein-1 (WDR1), Alpha actinin-1 (ACTN1), Vinculin (VCL) and Protein disulfide isomerase (P4HB) and intracellular S. Enteritidis growth and replication such as V-type proton ATPase catalytic subunit A (ATPV1A). Interestingly, sodium butyrate increased the expression of infected HTC cell protein involving in bacterial killing such as Vimentin (VIM). In conclusion, sodium butyrate modulates the expression of HTC cell proteins essential for S. Enteritidis invasion.

Modulatory Effects of Probiotics During Pathogenic Infections With Emphasis on Immune Regulation

In order to inhibit pathogenic complications and to enhance animal and poultry growth, antibiotics have been extensively used for many years. Antibiotics applications not only affect target pathogens but also intestinal beneficially microbes, inducing long-lasting changes in intestinal microbiota associated with diseases. The application of antibiotics also has many other side effects like, intestinal barrier dysfunction, antibiotics residues in foodstuffs, nephropathy, allergy, bone marrow toxicity, mutagenicity, reproductive disorders, hepatotoxicity carcinogenicity, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which greatly compromise the efficacy of antibiotics. Thus, the development of new antibiotics is necessary, while the search for antibiotic alternatives continues. Probiotics are considered the ideal antibiotic substitute; in recent years, probiotic research concerning their application during pathogenic infections in humans, aquaculture, poultry, and livestock industry, with emphasis on modulating the immune system of the host, has been attracting considerable interest. Hence, the adverse effects of antibiotics and remedial effects of probiotics during infectious diseases have become central points of focus among researchers. Probiotics are live microorganisms, and when given in adequate quantities, confer good health effects to the host through different mechanisms. Among them, the regulation of host immune response during pathogenic infections is one of the most important mechanisms. A number of studies have investigated different aspects of probiotics. In this review, we mainly summarize recent discoveries and discuss two important aspects: (1) the application of probiotics during pathogenic infections; and (2) their modulatory effects on the immune response of the host during infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Modeling the immune response to Salmonella during typhoid

Several facets of the host immune response to Salmonella infection have been studied independently at great depths to understand the progress and pathogenesis of Salmonella infection. The circumstances under which a Salmonella-infected individual succumbs to an active disease, evolves as a persister or clears the infection are not understood in detail. We have adopted a system-level approach to develop a continuous-time mechanistic model. We considered key interactions of the immune system state variables with Salmonella in the mesenteric lymph node to determine the final disease outcome deterministically and exclusively temporally. The model accurately predicts the disease outcomes and immune response trajectories operational during typhoid. The results of the simulation confirm the role of anti-inflammatory (M2) macrophages as a site for persistence and relapsing infection. Global sensitivity analysis highlights the importance of both bacterial and host attributes in influencing the disease outcome. It also illustrates the importance of robust phagocytic and anti-microbial potential of M1 macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) in controlling the disease. Finally, we propose therapeutic strategies for both antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant strains (such as IFN-γ therapy, DC transfer and phagocytic potential stimulation). We also suggest prevention strategies such as improving the humoral response and macrophage carrying capacity, which could complement current vaccination schemes for enhanced efficiency.

Autoimmune-prone lpr mice exhibit a prolonged but lethal infection with an attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium strain

Autoimmunity can potentially pre-dispose to, exacerbate or ameliorate pathogenic infections. The current study was designed to compare and understand the infection outcomes with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 14028s (S. Typhimurium) wild type (WT) and attenuated ΔrpoS strains, in autoimmune-prone lpr mice. C57BL/6 (B6) and B6/lpr (lpr) 6-8 weeks old mice were orally infected with S. Typhimurium WT and ΔrpoS strains. Disease outcomes were assessed with respect to survival, organ bacterial load, tissue damage and inflammation in infected mice. The acute infection stage (day 4) was examined and compared to the later stages (up to day 12) post ΔrpoS infection. S. Typhimurium WT exhibited an acute and lethal infection in both B6 and lpr mice. However, the ΔrpoS strain exhibited prolonged infection with reduced mortality in B6 mice but complete mortality in lpr mice. During late infection, bacterial load and serum IFNγ levels were higher in the ΔrpoS strain infected lpr mice compared to B6 mice. The ΔrpoS strain infected lpr mice also exhibited greater bacterial faecal shedding and greater tissue histopathological changes. Interestingly, ΔrpoS-infected B6 mice displayed minimal microbial load in the brain; however, sustained brain bacterial load was observed in ΔrpoS-infected lpr mice, corresponding to abnormal gait. Overall, S. Typhimurium ΔrpoS is competent in establishing infection but compromised in sustaining it. Nonetheless, lpr mice are less efficient in controlling this attenuated infection. The findings from the study demonstrate that genetic pre-disposition to autoimmunity is sufficient for greater host susceptibility to infection by attenuated S. Typhimurium strains.

Molecular characterisation of hydrogen sulfide negative Salmonella enterica serovar Havana

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) detection is a screening method for distinguishing and identifying Salmonella strains from other bacteria in the intestine. Incidences of H₂S-negative Salmonella have recently been reported in different countries. Although a high resistance rate against antimicrobial agents has been reported for H₂S-positive Salmonella in many regions of the world, there is increasing evidence that high resistance to antibiotics has also increased in many H₂S-negative Salmonella isolates. In this study, molecular characterisation of three H₂S-negative Salmonella Havana, isolated from cloacal swab samples of broiler chickens, was performed. The phsA, phsB and phsC genes of the phs operon, which is responsible for hydrogen sulfide production, were amplified. Sequence analysis was then performed to identify mutations in the gene cluster. The antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolates were determined by disc diffusion. Molecular characterisation was performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The sequence analysis showed identified five point mutations in the phsA gene and one point mutation in the phsC gene in all isolates. The antibiotic resistance profile showed that the strains were resistant to cefoxitin and ceftazidime. MLST analysis showed that all strains belonged to sequence type (ST) 1621. This study is the first to report the H₂S-negative S. Havana serotype.

The Bacterial Microbiota of Gastrointestinal Cancers: Role in Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Perspectives

The microbiota has an essential role in the pathogenesis of many gastrointestinal diseases including cancer. This effect is mediated through different mechanisms such as damaging DNA, activation of oncogenic pathways, production of carcinogenic metabolites, stimulation of chronic inflammation, and inhibition of antitumor immunity. Recently, the concept of "pharmacomicrobiomics" has emerged as a new field concerned with exploring the interplay between drugs and microbes. Mounting evidence indicates that the microbiota and their metabolites have a major impact on the pharmacodynamics and therapeutic responses toward anticancer drugs including conventional chemotherapy and molecular-targeted therapeutics. In addition, microbiota appears as an attractive target for cancer prevention and treatment. In this review, we discuss the role of bacterial microbiota in the pathogenesis of different cancer types affecting the gastrointestinal tract system. We also scrutinize the evidence regarding the role of microbiota in anticancer drug responses. Further, we discuss the use of probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and antibiotics, either alone or in combination with anticancer drugs for prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal tract cancers.

Prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant Salmonella serotypes in Iran: a meta-analysis

The present study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Salmonella serotypes, especially fluoroquinolone-resistant strains, recovered from clinical samples in Iran. A full electronic search using related keywords was conducted in Persian and English languages in ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and the Scientific Information Database (SID) search engines to find papers published between 1983 and 1 July 2019. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 46 eligible articles were selected for the final analysis out of the initial 13,186 studies retrieved. The pooled prevalence of quinolone-resistant Salmonella serotypes in clinical specimens in Iran was 2.9% to ciprofloxacin and 48.1% to nalidixic acid. Additional data on antibiotic resistance was as follows: 54.3% to tetracycline, 50.6% to ceftizoxime, 50.2% to streptomycin, 37.9% to ampicillin, 36.5% to kanamycin, 33.5% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 27.2% to chloramphenicol, 19.1% to cephalothin, 8.8% to ceftriaxone, 7.6% to cefotaxime, 7.4% to aztreonam, 7.2% to gentamicin, 7% to cefepime, 6.8% to ceftazidime, 5.8% to cefixime, 2.7% to imipenem and 2.2% to meropenem. Findings of the present study showed a rising trend of resistance to the drugs of choice for the treatment of Salmonella infections, i.e. ampicillin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in Iran. However, ciprofloxacin, third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems are still effective antibiotics especially against multi-drug resistant strains in Iran.

The immunogenic potential of bacterial flagella for Salmonella-mediated tumor therapy

Genetically engineered Salmonella Typhimurium are potent vectors for prophylactic and therapeutic measures against pathogens as well as cancer. This is based on the potent adjuvanticity that supports strong immune responses. The physiology of Salmonella is well understood. It simplifies engineering of both enhanced immune-stimulatory properties as well as safety features, thus, resulting in an appropriate balance between attenuation and efficacy for clinical applications. A major virulence factor of Salmonella is the flagellum. It is also a strong pathogen-associated molecular pattern recognized by extracellular and intracellular receptors of immune cells of the host. At the same time, it represents a serious metabolic burden. Accordingly, the bacteria evolved tight regulatory mechanisms that control flagella synthesis in vivo. Here, we systematically investigated the immunogenicity and adjuvant properties of various flagella mutants of Salmonella in vitro and in a mouse cancer model in vivo. We found that mutants lacking the flagellum-specific ATPase FliHIJ or the inner membrane ring FliF displayed the greatest stimulatory capacity and strongest antitumor effects, while remaining safe in vivo. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of outer membrane vesicles in the ΔfliF and ΔfliHIJ mutants. Finally, the combination of the ΔfliF and ΔfliHIJ mutations with our previously described attenuated and immunogenic background strain SF102 displayed strong efficacy against the highly resistant cancer cell line RenCa. We thus conclude that manipulating flagella biosynthesis has great potential for the construction of highly efficacious and versatile Salmonella vector strains.

The Transcription Factor ArcA Modulates Salmonella's Metabolism in Response to Neutrophil Hypochlorous Acid-Mediated Stress

Salmonella Typhimurium, a bacterial pathogen with high metabolic plasticity, can adapt to different environmental conditions; these traits enhance its virulence by enabling bacterial survival. Neutrophils play important roles in the innate immune response, including the production of microbicidal reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, the myeloperoxidase in neutrophils catalyzes the formation of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a highly toxic molecule that reacts with essential biomolecules, causing oxidative damage including lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation. The bacterial response regulator ArcA regulates adaptive responses to oxygen levels and influences the survival of Salmonella inside phagocytic cells. Here, we demonstrate by whole transcriptomic analyses that ArcA regulates genes related to various metabolic pathways, enabling bacterial survival during HOCl-stress in vitro. Also, inside neutrophils, ArcA controls the transcription of several metabolic pathways by downregulating the expression of genes related to fatty acid degradation, lysine degradation, and arginine, proline, pyruvate, and propanoate metabolism. ArcA also upregulates genes encoding components of the oxidative pathway. These results underscore the importance of ArcA in ATP generation inside the neutrophil phagosome and its participation in bacterial metabolic adaptations during HOCl stress.

Contribution of the colicin receptor CirA to biofilm formation, antibotic resistance, and pathogenicity of Salmonella Enteritidis

Salmonella Enteritidis is an important foodborne pathogen that can infect a wide range of animal species including human beings, resulting in great losses to commercial husbandry and human health. CirA is an outer membrane receptor involved in iron uptake and colicin1A/B-mediated competitive killing. Although iron uptake is crucial to bacterial virulence, limited literature is available about the role of CirA in infection. In the present work, we aimed to evaluate the role of CirA during S. Enteritidis infection. For this purpose, we generated a CirA-deficient mutant of the S. Enteritidis strain C50336 and examined its biological characteristics. The results showed that cirA gene inactivation caused sharply decreased biofilm formation and apparently impaired antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, the cirA gene deletion mutant showed markedly reduced adhesion and invasion to human epithelial cell line Caco-2 cells and decreased proliferation in mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, attenuated virulence was determined by a mouse model, with an LD₅₀ increase of approximately 1,000-fold. These data indicated that CirA plays critical roles in the S. Enteritidis infection process.

A Genome-Wide Knockout Screen in Human Macrophages Identified Host Factors Modulating Salmonella Infection

A genome-scale CRISPR knockout library screen of THP-1 human macrophages was performed to identify loss-of-function mutations conferring resistance to Salmonella uptake. The screen identified 183 candidate genes, from which 14 representative genes involved in actin dynamics (ACTR3, ARPC4, CAPZB, TOR3A, CYFIP2, CTTN, and NHLRC2), glycosaminoglycan metabolism (B3GNT1), receptor signaling (PDGFB and CD27), lipid raft formation (CLTCL1), calcium transport (ATP2A2 and ITPR3), and cholesterol metabolism (HMGCR) were analyzed further. For some of these pathways, known chemical inhibitors could replicate the Salmonella resistance phenotype, indicating their potential as targets for host-directed therapy. The screen indicated a role for the relatively uncharacterized gene NHLRC2 in both Salmonella invasion and macrophage differentiation. Upon differentiation, NHLRC2 mutant macrophages were hyperinflammatory and did not exhibit characteristics typical of macrophages, including atypical morphology and inability to interact and phagocytose bacteria/particles. Immunoprecipitation confirmed an interaction of NHLRC2 with FRYL, EIF2AK2, and KLHL13.IMPORTANCE Salmonella exploits macrophages to gain access to the lymphatic system and bloodstream to lead to local and potentially systemic infections. With an increasing number of antibiotic-resistant isolates identified in humans, Salmonella infections have become major threats to public health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify alternative approaches to anti-infective therapy, including host-directed therapies. In this study, we used a simple genome-wide screen to identify 183 candidate host factors in macrophages that can confer resistance to Salmonella infection. These factors may be potential therapeutic targets against Salmonella infections.

Systemic Administration of Avian Defensin 7: Distribution, Cellular Target, and Antibacterial Potential in Mice

Defensins are natural antimicrobial peptides. The avian beta-defensin AvBD7 isolated from the chicken bone marrow possess broad antibacterial spectrum and strong resistance to proteolysis. However, its ability to fight systemic infections of major concern for public health, such as salmonellosis, is unknown. As a first approach, fluorescence labeling of AvBD7 allowed to track its systemic distribution after intraperitoneal injection in mice using whole body live imaging. It was associated to peritoneal cells and to deeper organs such as the liver. In the next step, the use of labeled AvBD7 allowed to observe its interaction with murine macrophages in culture. After incubation, it was able to penetrate inside the cells through an endocytosis-like mechanism. Furthermore, natural AvBD7 contributed to the control of intracellular multiplication of a multidrug resistant Salmonella strain, after incubation with infected macrophages. Finally, administration in a model of systemic lethal Salmonella infection in mice led to significant improvement of mouse survival, consistently with significant reduction of the liver bacterial load. In conclusion, the results reveal a hitherto unknown intracellular antibacterial effect of AvBD7 in Salmonella target cells and support AvBD7 as a candidate of interest for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by multidrug-resistant pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae.

Salmonella Infection in Chronic Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Cancer

Salmonella not only causes acute infections, but can also cause patients to become chronic "asymptomatic" carriers. Salmonella has been verified as a pathogenic factor that contributes to chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis. This review summarizes the acute and chronic Salmonella infection and describes the current research progress of Salmonella infection contributing to inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. Furthermore, this review explores the underlying biological mechanism of the host signaling pathways manipulated by Salmonella effector molecules. Using experimental animal models, researchers have shown that Salmonella infection is related to host biological processes, such as host cell transformation, stem cell maintenance, and changes of the gut microbiota (dysbiosis). Finally, this review discusses the current challenges and future directions in studying Salmonella infection and its association with human diseases.

Salmonella-mediated therapy targeting indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO) activates innate immunity and mitigates colorectal cancer growth

Patients with colon cancer remain largely refractory to current immunotherapeutic strategies. This is, in part, due to the overexpression of the immune checkpoint protein indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO). IDO is an important enzyme contributing to tumor-mediated immunosuppression and also correlates with poor prognosis in colon cancer patients. The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium delivering an shRNA plasmid targeting IDO (shIDO-ST) in two mouse models of colorectal cancer. In vitro, the CT26 and MC38 murine colon cancer cell lines were shown to upregulate IDO expression following stimulation with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Transfection of both cell lines with shIDO plasmid reduced IDO protein expression and function. In vivo, shIDO-ST treatment significantly delayed CT26 and MC38 tumor progression compared to mice treated with scrambled shRNA control (shScr-ST) or the clinically-tested IDO inhibitor epacadostat. Increased tumor infiltration of neutrophils was found to be the primary immune cell population associated with shIDO-ST treatment, suggesting robust activation of innate immunity. Although increased tumor expression of IDO is associated with resistance to antibody therapy against programed cell death-1 (anti-PD1), co-administration of anti-PD1 with shIDO-ST did not provide additional tumor growth control in either model of colorectal cancer. Altogether, we demonstrate that treatment with shIDO-ST markedly delays tumor growth in two immunocompetent colorectal mouse models and this appears to be a superior therapeutic strategy compared to epacadostat or blocking anti-PD1 antibody therapy in colon cancer.

Persistent Infection and Long-Term Carriage of Typhoidal and Nontyphoidal Salmonellae

The ability of pathogenic bacteria to affect higher organisms and cause disease is one of the most dramatic properties of microorganisms. Some pathogens can establish transient colonization only, but others are capable of infecting their host for many years or even for a lifetime. Long-term infection is called persistence, and this phenotype is fundamental for the biology of important human pathogens, including Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Salmonella enterica Both typhoidal and nontyphoidal serovars of the species Salmonella enterica can cause persistent infection in humans; however, as these two Salmonella groups cause clinically distinct diseases, the characteristics of their persistent infections in humans differ significantly. Here, following a general summary of Salmonella pathogenicity, host specificity, epidemiology, and laboratory diagnosis, I review the current knowledge about Salmonella persistence and discuss the relevant epidemiology of persistence (including carrier rate, duration of shedding, and host and pathogen risk factors), the host response to Salmonella persistence, Salmonella genes involved in this lifestyle, as well as genetic and phenotypic changes acquired during prolonged infection within the host. Additionally, I highlight differences between the persistence of typhoidal and nontyphoidal Salmonella strains in humans and summarize the current gaps and limitations in our understanding, diagnosis, and curing of persistent Salmonella infections.

In trauma, expect the unexpected: a rare case of post-traumatic pancreatitis associated with salmonellosis and enterocolitis

A 16-year-old Hispanic man was transferred to our level I paediatric trauma centre with pancreatitis. Ten days prior, he had sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen requiring an exploratory laparotomy for repair of a traumatic left diaphragmatic injury. Additional injuries included gastric, renal, liver and pancreatic lacerations as well as a T12 burst fracture that resulted in paraplegia. Conservative management of pancreatitis was unsuccessful over the next 10 days, resulting in progressive symptoms of severe unresolved pain, nausea, emesis and rising lipase. Workup for post-traumatic, biliary and drug-associated causes of pancreatitis was negative, and no anatomical abnormalities were found on imaging. A fever workup on hospital day 10 revealed a urinary tract infection with non-typhoid Salmonella sp, and subsequent stool and imaging studies revealed salmonellosis associated with right-sided colitis and Clostridium difficile infection. Pancreatitis resolved within 48 hours following treatment of salmonellosis and Clostridium.

Biofilm formation and potential virulence factors of Salmonella strains isolated from ready-to-eat shrimps

Salmonella species is an important foodborne pathogen with the non-typhoidal serovars such as Enteritidis and Typhimurium as the most predominant strains. This study examines the biofilm formation, phenotypic virulence factors and cell surface characteristics of Salmonella strains from ready-to-eat shrimps. The ready-to-eat shrimps were obtained from open markets between November 2016 and October 2017 in Edo and Delta States, Nigeria. The occurrence of Salmonella strains in this study was 210/1440 (14.58%) of the ready-to-eat shrimp’s samples. The identified strains comprise of Salmonella Enteritidis 11, Salmonella Typhimurium 14 and other Salmonella spp. 20. The 45 identified Salmonella strains revealed the following virulence properties: swimming and swarming motility 45(100%); S-layer 39(86.67%); haemolytic activity 40(88.89%); lipase activity 43(95.56%); protease activity 43(95.56%); gelatinase production 43(95.56%); and DNA degrading activity 41(91.11%). The variation in the formation of biofilm-based on the diversity of Salmonella species was observed with higher percentage of Salmonella Typhimurium strains as strong biofilms producers under different environmental conditions. For surface hydrophobicity using bacterial adherence to hydrocarbons, 25(55.56%) were hydrophilic while 20(44.44%) were moderately hydrophobic from the 45 Salmonella isolates. Using salting aggregation test for surface hydrophobicity, all selected isolates 45(100%) was hydrophilic. Autoaggregation index for the 12 selected Salmonella isolates ranged from 15.2–47.2%, while the autoaggragation index for the 12 selected test bacteria ranged from 26.2–71.3%. Coaggragation between the 12 selected test bacteria and 12 Salmonella isolates ranged from 12.5–81.0%. The occurrence of pathogenic species of Salmonella from ready-to-eat shrimps could be detrimental to the consumers. Findings on the physiological conditions of biofilms formed by the foodborne pathogenic Salmonella and the cell surface characteristics therein are crucial for the advancement of methods for controlling Salmonella from ready-to-eat foods.