Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium lacking hfq gene confers protective immunity against murine typhoid

Vaccines to Control Salmonella in Poultry

This review is focused on describing and analyzing means by which Salmonella enterica serotype strains have been genetically modified with the purpose of developing safe, efficacious vaccines to present Salmonella-induced disease in poultry and to prevent Salmonella colonization of poultry to reduce transmission through the food chain in and on eggs and poultry meat. Emphasis is on use of recently developed means to generate defined deletion mutations to eliminate genetic sequences conferring antimicrobial resistance or residual elements that might lead to genetic instability. Problems associated with prior means to develop vaccines are discussed with presentation of various means by which these problems have been lessened, if not eliminated. Practical considerations are also discussed in hope of facilitating means to move lab-proven successful vaccination procedures and vaccine candidates to the marketplace to benefit the poultry industry.

Decoding the invasive nature of a tropical pathogen of concern: The invasive non-Typhoidal Salmonella strains causing host-restricted extraintestinal infections worldwide

Invasive-Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) are the major cause of health concern in the low-income, under-developed nations in Africa and Asia that lack proper sanitation facilities. Around 5% of the NTS cases give rise to invasive, extraintestinal diseases leading to focal infections like osteomyelitis, meningitis, osteoarthritis, endocarditis and neonatal sepsis. iNTS serovars like S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, S. Dublin, S. Choleraesuis show a greater propensity to become invasive than others which hints at the genetic basis of their emergence. The major risk factors attributing to the invasive diseases include immune-compromised individuals having co-infection with malaria or HIV, or suffering from malnutrition. The rampant use of antibiotics leading to the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains poses a great challenge in disease management. An extensive understanding of the iNTS pathogenesis and its epidemiology will open up avenues for the development of new vaccination and therapeutic strategies to restrict the spread of this neglected disease.

Induction of Broad Immunity against Invasive Salmonella Disease by a Quadrivalent Combination Salmonella MAPS Vaccine Targeting Salmonella Enterica Serovars Typhimurium, Enteritidis, Typhi, and Paratyphi A

Bloodstream infections in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are most frequently attributed to invasive Salmonella disease caused by four primary serovars of Salmonella enterica: Typhi, Paratyphi A, Typhimurium, and Enteritidis. We showed previously that a bivalent vaccine targeting S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A using a Multiple Antigen-Presenting System (MAPS) induced functional antibodies against S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi. In the current study, we describe the preclinical development of a first candidate quadrivalent combination Salmonella vaccine with the potential to cover all four leading invasive Salmonella serotypes. We showed that the quadrivalent Salmonella MAPS vaccine, containing Vi from S. Typhi, O-specific Polysaccharide (OSP) from S. Paratyphi A, S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium, combined with the Salmonella-specific protein SseB, elicits robust and functional antibody responses to each of the components of the vaccine. Our data indicates that the application of MAPS technology to the development of vaccines targeting invasive forms of Salmonella is practical and merits additional consideration.

Spaceflight Analogue Culture Enhances the Host-Pathogen Interaction Between Salmonella and a 3-D Biomimetic Intestinal Co-Culture Model

Physical forces associated with spaceflight and spaceflight analogue culture regulate a wide range of physiological responses by both bacterial and mammalian cells that can impact infection. However, our mechanistic understanding of how these environments regulate host-pathogen interactions in humans is poorly understood. Using a spaceflight analogue low fluid shear culture system, we investigated the effect of Low Shear Modeled Microgravity (LSMMG) culture on the colonization of Salmonella Typhimurium in a 3-D biomimetic model of human colonic epithelium containing macrophages. RNA-seq profiling of stationary phase wild type and Δhfq mutant bacteria alone indicated that LSMMG culture induced global changes in gene expression in both strains and that the RNA binding protein Hfq played a significant role in regulating the transcriptional response of the pathogen to LSMMG culture. However, a core set of genes important for adhesion, invasion, and motility were commonly induced in both strains. LSMMG culture enhanced the colonization (adherence, invasion and intracellular survival) of Salmonella in this advanced model of intestinal epithelium using a mechanism that was independent of Hfq. Although S. Typhimurium Δhfq mutants are normally defective for invasion when grown as conventional shaking cultures, LSMMG conditions unexpectedly enabled high levels of colonization by an isogenic Δhfq mutant. In response to infection with either the wild type or mutant, host cells upregulated transcripts involved in inflammation, tissue remodeling, and wound healing during intracellular survival. Interestingly, infection by the Δhfq mutant led to fewer transcriptional differences between LSMMG- and control-infected host cells relative to infection with the wild type strain. This is the first study to investigate the effect of LSMMG culture on the interaction between S. Typhimurium and a 3-D model of human intestinal tissue. These findings advance our understanding of how physical forces can impact the early stages of human enteric salmonellosis.

Advances in the development of Salmonella-based vaccine strategies for protection against Salmonellosis in humans

Salmonella spp. are important human pathogens globally causing millions of cases of typhoid fever and non‐typhoidal salmonellosis annually. There are only a few vaccines licensed for use in humans which all target Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. Vaccine development is hampered by antigenic diversity between the thousands of serovars capable of causing infection in humans. However, a number of attenuated candidate vaccine strains are currently being developed. As facultative intracellular pathogens with multiple systems for transporting effector proteins to host cells, attenuated Salmonella strains can also serve as ideal tools for the delivery of foreign antigens to create multivalent live carrier vaccines for simultaneous immunization against several unrelated pathogens. Further, the ease with which Salmonella can be genetically modified and the extensive knowledge of the virulence mechanisms of this pathogen means that this bacterium has often served as a model organism to test new approaches. In this review we focus on (1) recent advances in live attenuated Salmonella vaccine development, (2) improvements in expression of foreign antigens in carrier vaccines and (3) adaptation of attenuated strains as sources of purified antigens and vesicles that can be used for subunit and conjugate vaccines or together with attenuated vaccine strains in heterologous prime‐boosting immunization strategies. These advances have led to the development of new vaccines against Salmonella which have or will soon be tested in clinical trials.

HU-Lacking Mutants of Salmonella enterica Enteritidis Are Highly Attenuated and Can Induce Protection in Murine Model of Infection

Salmonella enterica infection is a major public health concern worldwide, particularly when associated with other medical conditions. The serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis are frequently associated with an invasive illness that primarily affects immunocompromised adults and children with HIV, malaria, or malnutrition. These serovars can also cause infections in a variety of animal hosts, and they are the most common isolates in poultry materials. Here, we described S. Enteritidis mutants, where hupA and hupB genes were deleted, and evaluated their potential use as live-attenuated vaccine candidates. In vitro, the mutants behaved like S. Typhimurium described previously, but there were some particularities in macrophage invasion and survival experiments. The virulence and immunogenicity of the mutant lacking both hupA and hupB (PT4ΔhupAB) were evaluated in a BALB/c mice model. This mutant was highly attenuated and could, therefore, be administrated at doses higher than 10⁹ CFU/treatment, which was sufficient to protect all treated mice challenged with the wild-type parental strain with a single dose. Additionally, the PT4ΔhupAB strain induced production of specific IgG and IgA antibodies against Salmonella and TH1-related cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-α), indicating that this strain can induce systemic and mucosal protection in the murine model. Additional studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms that lead to attenuation of the double-mutant PT4ΔhupAB and to elucidate the immune response induced by immunization using this strain. However, our data allow us to state that hupAB mutants could be potential candidates to be explore as live-attenuated vaccines.

An attenuated Shigella mutant lacking the RNA-binding protein Hfq provides cross-protection against Shigella strains of broad serotype

Few live attenuated vaccines protect against multiple serotypes of bacterial pathogen because host serotype-specific immune responses are limited to the serotype present in the vaccine strain. Here, immunization with a mutant of Shigella flexneri 2a protected guinea pigs against subsequent infection by S. dysenteriae type 1 and S. sonnei strains. This deletion mutant lacked the RNA-binding protein Hfq leading to increased expression of the type III secretion system via loss of regulation, resulting in attenuation of cell viability through repression of stress response sigma factors. Such increased antigen production and simultaneous attenuation were expected to elicit protective immunity against Shigella strains of heterologous serotypes. Thus, the vaccine potential of this mutant was tested in two guinea pig models of shigellosis. Animals vaccinated in the left eye showed fewer symptoms upon subsequent challenge via the right eye, and even survived subsequent intestinal challenge. In addition, oral vaccination effectively induced production of immunoglobulins without severe side effects, again protecting all animals against subsequent intestinal challenge with S. dysenteriae type 1 or S. sonnei strains. Antibodies against common virulence proteins and the O-antigen of S. flexneri 2a were detected by immunofluorescence microscopy. Reaction of antibodies with various strains, including enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, suggested that common virulence proteins induced protective immunity against a range of serotypes. Therefore, vaccination is expected to cover not only the most prevalent serotypes of S. sonnei and S. flexneri 2a, but also various Shigella strains, including S. dysenteriae type 1, which produces Shiga toxin.

Evaluation of the Immunogenicity of Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugated to Salmonella Typhimurium-Derived OPS in a Mouse Model: A Potential Vaccine Candidate Against Salmonellosis

Background

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) causes gastroenteritis in humans and paratyphoid disease in some animals. Given the emergence of antibiotic resistance, vaccines are more effective than chemotherapy in disease control.

Objectives

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the immunogenicity of diphtheria toxoid (DT) conjugated with S. Typhimurium -derived OPS (O side chain isolation) in mice to determine its potential as a vaccine candidate against salmonellosis.

Materials and Methods

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was extracted from the bacterial strain. After isolation of the O side chain of LPS, detoxification, and conjugation of the detoxified OPS samples with DT, pyrogenicity, toxicity, and sterility tests were performed. To vaccination, four groups of female Balb/c mice were used in an immunization test. Antibody responses were measured by the ELISA method. Challenging processes were performed to analyze the efficacy of the OPS-DT compound.

Results

Two weeks after the first vaccination dose, there was no significant difference in the antibody titers of the OPS and OPS-DT groups. However, after the second and third doses, the antibody titers of the OPS-DT group increased significantly compared with those of the control groups (P < 0.001). The induction of anti-OPS antibodies was as follows: OPS-DT>OPS. The most anti-OPS IgG antibody was IgG1. Challenging procedure showed successful protective characteristics in clinical examinations.

Conclusions

The results indicated that DT increased anti-OPS antibodies against the OPS-DT compound. The antibody response to OPS-DT was greater than that to OPS alone. We conclude that OPS-DT is an appropriate and acceptable vaccine candidate against salmonellosis.

Cloning and sequencing of hfq (host factor required for synthesis of bacteriophage Q beta RNA) gene of Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from poultry

AIM

The aim was to clone and sequence hfq gene of Salmonella Typhimurium strain PM-45 and compare its sequence with hfq gene of other serovar of Salmonella.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Salmonella Typhimurium strain PM-45 was procured from the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India. The genomic DNA was isolated from Salmonella Typhimurium. Hfq gene was polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified from the DNA using specific primers, which was subsequently cloned into pET32a vector and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 pLys cells. The recombinant plasmid was isolated and subjected to restriction enzyme digestion as well as PCR. The clone was then sequenced. The sequence was analyzed and submitted in GenBank.

RESULTS

PCR produced an amplicon of 309 bp. Restriction digestion of the recombinant plasmid released the desired insert. The hfq sequence shows 100% homology with similar sequences from other Salmonella Typhimurium isolates. Both nucleotide and amino acid sequences are highly conserved. The submitted sequence is having Genbank accession no KM998764.

CONCLUSION

Hfq, the hexameric RNA binding protein is one of the most important post-transcriptional regulator of bacteria. The sequence of hfq gene of Salmonella Typhimurium is highly conserved within and between Salmonella enterica serovars. This gene sequence is probably under heavy selection pressure to maintain the conformational integrity of its product in spite of its being not a survival gene.

Vaccines for viral and bacterial pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis: Part II: Vaccines for Shigella, Salmonella, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) enterohemorragic E. coli (EHEC) and Campylobacter jejuni

In Part II we discuss the following bacterial pathogens: Shigella, Salmonella (non-typhoidal), diarrheogenic E. coli (enterotoxigenic and enterohemorragic) and Campylobacter jejuni. In contrast to the enteric viruses and Vibrio cholerae discussed in Part I of this series, for the bacterial pathogens described here there is only one licensed vaccine, developed primarily for Vibrio cholerae and which provides moderate protection against enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) (Dukoral(®)), as well as a few additional candidates in advanced stages of development for ETEC and one candidate for Shigella spp. Numerous vaccine candidates in earlier stages of development are discussed.

Changing the Codon Usage of hfq Gene has Profound Effect on Phenotype and Pathogenicity of Salmonella Typhimurium

Genome recoding with bias codons (synonymous rare codons) or codon pair bias is being used as a method to attenuate virulence mostly in viruses. The target gene chosen for attenuation in general in bacteria is mostly toxin or virulence gene. We have used RNA chaperone hfq, a global post-transcriptional regulator of bacterial gene expression that regulates about 20 % genes in Salmonella, as the target of recoding. The hfq gene was recoded by replacing the codons of hfq gene with synonymous rare codons. Recoding decreased the expression of Hfq protein about two-fold in the mutant as compared to the parent strain. Recoding did not affect growth kinetics, but in growth competition the mutant strain was outcompeted by the parent strain. There was significant decrease in survivability of mutant strain in macrophage as compared to the parent strain. The biofilm formation was significantly impaired in case of recoded mutant. The mutants were also less motile as compared to the parent strain. Intraperitoneal infection of mice with the mutant strain had shown better survival as compared to parent strain. The results show that recoding is an effective method of reducing virulence.

Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) contributes to Salmonella Typhimurium survival against oxidative attack of neutrophils

Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) must evade neutrophil assault for infection establishment in the host. Myeloperoxidase generated HOCl is the key antimicrobial agent produced by the neutrophils; and methionine (Met) residues are the primary targets of this oxidant. Oxidation of Mets leads to methionine sulfoxide (Met-SO) formation and consequently compromises the protein function(s). Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) reductively repairs Met-SO to Mets. In this manner, MsrA maintains the function(s) of key proteins which are important for virulence of ST and enhance the survival of this bacterium under oxidative stress. We constructed msrA gene deletion strain (ΔmsrA). The primers located in the flanking regions to ΔmsrA gene amplified 850 and 300 bp amplicons in ST and ΔmsrA strains, respectively. The ΔmsrA strain grew normally in in vitro broth culture. However, ΔmsrA strain showed high susceptibility (p<0.001) to very low concentrations of HOCl which was restored (at least in part) by plasmid based complementation. ΔmsrA strain was hypersensitive (than ST) to the granules isolated from neutrophils. Further, the ΔmsrA strain was significantly (p<0.05) more susceptible to neutrophil mediated killing.

Systematic analysis of the role of bacterial Hfq-interacting sRNAs in the response to antibiotics

OBJECTIVES

To systematically analyse the interplay between the expression of Hfq-associated small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) and antibiotic susceptibility in Gram-negative bacteria.

METHODS

To identify the roles of sRNAs in the antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Salmonella species, susceptibility tests, growth analyses and viability assays were performed using E. coli Hfq-associated sRNAs from overexpression libraries. Prediction, susceptibility testing of gene knockouts and expression analysis of target genes under conditions of sRNA overexpression or knockout were performed to identify candidate targets for modulating antibiotic susceptibility.

RESULTS

The susceptibilities of E. coli strains overexpressing each of the 26 known Hfq-dependent sRNAs to major classes of antibiotics were determined. Induced expression of 17 sRNAs modulated the susceptibility of E. coli to antibiotics. Among them, four sRNA knockout strains partially or completely reversed susceptibility phenotypes of sRNA overexpression. The phenotype of OxyS, RseX or MicF was not entirely dependent on the presence of Hfq protein, in contrast to the dependency of previously characterized roles. The function of eight of nine sRNAs was found to be conserved in the response to antibiotics in Salmonella. Some MicF- or RyeB-mediated cellular target genes and pathways that may be important for the regulation of antibiotic susceptibility were identified. Finally, the overexpression of RyeB potentiated the efficacy of levofloxacin against MDR strains.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that Hfq-associated sRNAs potentially enable bacteria to adapt to antibiotic challenges via multifaceted approaches. Therefore, sRNA-based applications will form a new antibiotic arsenal for combating the rise in antibiotic resistance.

Vaccines against invasive Salmonella disease: current status and future directions

Though primarily enteric pathogens, Salmonellae are responsible for a considerable yet under-appreciated global burden of invasive disease. In South and South-East Asia, this manifests as enteric fever caused by serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A. In sub-Saharan Africa, a similar disease burden results from invasive nontyphoidal Salmonellae, principally serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis. The existing Ty21a live-attenuated and Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccines target S. Typhi and are not effective in young children where the burden of invasive Salmonella disease is highest. After years of lack of investment in new Salmonella vaccines, recent times have seen increased interest in the area led by emerging-market manufacturers, global health vaccine institutes and academic partners. New glycoconjugate vaccines against S. Typhi are becoming available with similar vaccines against other invasive serovars in development. With other new vaccines under investigation, including live-attenuated, protein-based and GMMA vaccines, now is an exciting time for the Salmonella vaccine field.

Edwardsiella tarda Hfq: impact on host infection and global protein expression

Hfq is an RNA-binding protein that plays an important role in many cellular processes. In this study, we examined the biological effect of the Hfq of Edwardsiella tarda, a severe fish pathogen with a broad host range that includes humans. To facilitate the study, a markerless hfq in-frame deletion wild type, TXhfq, was constructed. Compared to the wild type TX01, TXhfq exhibited (i) retarded planktonic and biofilm growth, (ii) decreased resistance against oxidative stress, (iii) attenuated overall virulence and tissue dissemination and colonization capacity, (iv) impaired ability to replicate in host macrophages and to block host immune response. Introduction of a trans-expressed hfq gene into TXhfq restored the lost virulence of TXhfq. To identify potential Hfq targets, comparative global proteomic analysis was conducted, which revealed that 20 proteins belonging to different functional categories were differentially expressed in TXhfq and TX01. Quantitative real time RT-PCR analysis showed that the mRNA levels of two thirds of the genes of the identified proteins were consistent with the proteomic results. Since TXhfq is dramatically attenuated in virulence, we further examined its potential as a naturally delivered vaccine administered via the immersion route in a flounder model. The results showed that TXhfq induced effective protection against lethal E. tarda challenge. Taken together, our study indicated that Hfq is required for the normal operation of E. tarda in multiple aspects, and that Hfq probably exerts a regulatory effect on a wide range of target genes at both transcription and post-transcription levels.

Prospects for prevention of Salmonella infection in children through vaccination

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Strains of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica are amongst the most commonly identified invasive bacterial pathogens in resource-poor settings, and cause significant mortality, particularly in children. In this study we review recent progress in the development of vaccines against S. Typhi, S. Paratyphi and nontyphoidal Salmonella for children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Typhoid remains common and S. Paratyphi A is increasingly recognized as a cause of enteric fever in Asia. In rural Africa, nontyphoidal salmonellae are among the most common invasive bacterial infections, although S. Typhi predominates in some urban centres. Licensed vaccines against typhoid have moderate but useful efficacy but neither of the two available vaccines can be used in infants. Although Ty21a may afford some cross-protection against S. Paratyphi B, there are no vaccines that specifically target paratyphoid or any nontyphoidal Salmonella. Several live attenuated vaccines are under development and may offer some advantages over Ty21a. Vi-conjugate vaccines should offer children excellent protection from typhoid once licensed.

SUMMARY

There are few effective vaccines against Salmonella sp. and those that do exist target only one serovar, S. Typhi. Research is urgently needed to combat emerging agents of enteric fever such as S. Paratyphi A as well as nontyphoidal serovars, which commonly cause invasive disease in Africa.

Immunization with Escherichia coli outer membrane vesicles protects bacteria-induced lethality via Th1 and Th17 cell responses

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), secreted from Gram-negative bacteria, are spherical nanometer-sized proteolipids enriched with outer membrane proteins. OMVs, also known as extracellular vesicles, have gained interests for use as nonliving complex vaccines and have been examined for immune-stimulating effects. However, the detailed mechanism on how OMVs elicit the vaccination effect has not been studied extensively. In this study, we investigated the immunological mechanism governing the protective immune response of OMV vaccines. Immunization with Escherichia coli-derived OMVs prevented bacteria-induced lethality and OMV-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome. As verified by adoptive transfer and gene-knockout studies, the protective effect of OMV immunization was found to be primarily by the stimulation of T cell immunity rather than B cell immunity, especially by the OMV-Ag-specific production of IFN-γ and IL-17 from T cells. By testing the bacteria-killing ability of macrophages, we also demonstrated that IFN-γ and IL-17 production is the main factor promoting bacterial clearances. Our findings reveal that E. coli-derived OMV immunization effectively protects bacteria-induced lethality and OMV-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome primarily via Th1 and Th17 cell responses. This study therefore provides a new perspective on the immunological detail regarding OMV vaccination.

Identification of an outer membrane protein of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as a potential vaccine candidate for Salmonellosis in mice

We report our investigation of the functions of PagN in Salmonella pathogenesis and its potential as a vaccine candidate. Further investigation conducted in this study indicates that the outer membrane protein PagN is important for Salmonella adhesion/invasion of epithelial cells as well as bacterial virulence. When pagN was deleted from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), the adhesion and invasion of HT-29 epithelial cells was significantly decreased compared with the wild type strain. Mice infected with the pagN mutant strain exhibited less pathological signs in the intestine and survived longer than the wild-type-infected mice. PagN is widely distributed and conserved among clinical isolates of different Salmonella serovars, making PagN a potential vaccine candidate for Salmonella infection. To elucidate the potential of PagN as a vaccine, we expressed and purified recombinant PagN (rPagN). When rPagN was tested in mice, it provided significant protection against Salmonella infection in vivo. In vitro, anti-PagN serum enhanced clearance of Salmonella, indicating a contribution of PagN-specific antibodies to the killing process. This correlates well with the observed protection of mice immunized with rPagN. Our preliminary results indicate more functions of PagN in S. Typhimurium virulence as well as its potential as a protective vaccine.

An overview of the domestication and impact of the Salmonella mobilome

Salmonella spp. are accountable for a large fraction of the global infectious disease burden, with most of their infections being food- or water-borne. The phenotypic features and adaptive potential of Salmonella spp. appear to be driven to a large extent by mobile or laterally acquired genetic elements. A better understanding of the conduct and diversification of these important pathogens consequently requires a more profound insight into the different mechanisms by which these pivotal elements establish themselves in the cell and affect its behavior. This review, therefore, provides an overview of the physiological impact and domestication of the Salmonella mobilome.

Comparative study of the protective capacity against Salmonella infection between probiotic and nonprobiotic Lactobacilli

AIMS

To investigate the immunoprotective ability of three Lactobacilli strains against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in a mouse model. To identify the probiotic properties involved in the protection against infection caused by this pathogen.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The immunomodulatory effect of three different lactobacilli strains: Lactobacillus (Lact.) casei CRL 431 (probiotic bacterium), Lact. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CRL 423 (Lact. bulgaricus) and Lact.acidophilus CRL 730 was compared using a mouse model of Salmonella infection. Lactobacillus casei continuous administration improved animal survival, diminished pathogen spreading outside the intestine, attenuated the intestinal inflammation, modulated cytokine profile previous and postinfection and increased the expression and secretion of IgA in the gut. Additionally, the administration of this lactobacilli increased peritoneal, Peyer's patches and spleen macrophages' phagocytic activity in healthy mice and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1) released by intestinal epithelial cells in an in vitro assay. Although Lact. acidophilus increased the number of IgA-secreting cells previous and postinfection, and Lact. bulgaricus increased MCP-1 released by intestinal epithelial cells and the phagocytic activity of macrophages, these effects alone were not enough to confer protection against Salmonella Typhimurium infection in mouse.

CONCLUSIONS

Probiotic strain Lact. casei CRL 431 was the one that induced protection against Salmonella, by increasing the intestinal barrier function and by decreasing the local inflammatory response.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Salmonella spp. constitutes an important agent of foodborne diseases in the world. Not all lactobacilli, even with some immunostimulating properties at gut level, can protect against Salmonella infection. Lactobacillus casei CRL 431, a probiotic bacterium, could be useful as an oral mucosal adjuvant of the immune system to improve gut health, especially in the prevention or amelioration of Salmonella infections. We demonstrated that there is not a unique mechanism by which this protective effect was exerted.