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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Poultry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #398498
Research Project: Intervention Strategies to Mitigate Avian Escherichia coli Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance in the Poultry Environment

Location: Poultry Research

Title: Effect of Salmonella Typhimurium colonization on microbiome maturation and blood leukocyte populations in broiler chickens

Author
item Robinson, Kelsy
item ASSUMPCAO, ANNA - University Of Arkansas
item Arsi, Komala
item ERF, GISELA - University Of Arkansas
item Donoghue, Ann - Annie
item Jesudhasan, Palmy

Submitted to: Animals
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/18/2022
Publication Date: 10/20/2022
Citation: Robinson, K., Assumpcao, A., Arsi, K., Erf, G.F., Donoghue, A.M., Jesudhasan, P. 2022. Effect of Salmonella Typhimurium colonization on microbiome maturation and blood leukocyte populations in broiler chickens. Animals. 12(20):2867. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202867.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202867

Interpretive Summary: Reducing Salmonella levels in chickens is vital to reducing the number of human Salmonella infec-tions resulting from contact with contaminated chickens and poultry products. The intestinal tract of chickens is home to a diverse population of bacteria which serve as one of the first lines of defense against pathogenic microbes. Therefore, we sought to understand changes in the intestinal bacterial populations following Salmonella infection. Our results showed a clear change in the intestinal bacterial structure after Salmonella colonization. An inverse relationship between Salmonella and Lactobacillus and Escherichia was observed as well as an increase in Bacteroides. Additionally, we provide an insight into the timing of the host immune response. In total, this data provides valuable information that can be used for the development of effect methods to control Salmonella in chickens.

Technical Abstract: Salmonella Typhimurium is one of the most common Salmonella enterica serovars associated with human salmonellosis. Contact with infected poultry or poultry products is one of the major sources of salmonellosis infections making it vital to reduce Salmonella carriage in commercial birds. The intestinal microbiome plays an important role is preventing colonization of pathogenic microbes through mechanisms such as competitive exclusion and habitat filtering. Therefore, we sought to understand the relationship between Salmonella Typhimurium infection and the intestinal micro-biome and host immune system. Cecal samples were collected from birds colonized with Salmonella Typhimurium via oral gavage or natural horizontal transmission, as well as controls. Next gener-ation sequencing of the V3-V4 16S rRNA gene revealed a significant change in microbiota compo-sition regardless of colonization route. An inverse relationship between Salmonella and Lactobacillus and Escherichia while an increase in Bacteroides was observed. Additionally, host immune response was determined by measuring lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood. Results indicated an early role of monocytes and thrombocytes in colonization followed by heterophils. Taken together, this work provides valuable information towards the development of effective antibiotic alterna-tives to reduce colonization of multiple Salmonella serovars.