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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #417364
Research Project: Analysis of Genetic Factors that Increase Foodborne Pathogen Fitness, Virulence, and Antimicrobial Resistance Transfer, to Identify Interventions against Salmonella and Campylobacter in Food Animals

Location: Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research

Title: Analysis of a defined consortium on the competitive exclusion of Salmonella in chickens

Author
item HARRIS, DYLAN - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item WICKWARE, CARMEN - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Anderson, Christopher
item Bearson, Shawn
item Villanueva, Paul
item Oladeinde, Adelumola - Ade
item ATKINSON, BRIONY - Iowa State University
item Looft, Torey

Submitted to: Beneficial Microbes
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/21/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Current production interventions for controlling Salmonella in chickens have become ineffective so alternative methods are needed. Administration of cecal contents from healthy chickens to newly hatched chicks has shown protection against Salmonella; however, the microbial community is undefined, leading to potential safety and consistency concerns. To address this, the anti-Salmonella effects of a defined consortium of 15 bacteria isolated from healthy chickens was tested . One-day old chicks were given one of three treatments via oral gavage: the defined community (DC), cecal contents (CC), or sterile PBS (control; CT). One week later, chicks were given a challenge of Salmonella enterica ser. Heidelberg strain (SH2813). Samples from pre-challenge, early, mid, and late Salmonella colonization were taken. By the last timepoint, a 2-fold log reduction of SH2813 was observed in the DC group compared to CT. Reduction of SH2813 by DC was delayed compared to CC which showed increased diversity and near full protection from SH2813 at all timepoints. Delayed succession of the bacterial community was observed in DC birds showing a shift in diversity towards the CC group at the mid and late time points. Whole genomes of individual DC members were sequenced to identify genotypic factors associated with delayed reduction of Salmonella. Predicted functions of DC members indicate metabolic processes with low to no coverage of Salmonella functions such as TMAO reductase, nitrogen, and thiosulfate metabolism. Despite the ability of the defined consortium to reduce Salmonella compared to the control, microbiota succession was likely still needed to reduce colonization.