The Role of Gut Microbiota in Salmonella-Induced Colitis
Author Information
Author(s): Ferreira Rosana B. R., Gill Navkiran, Willing Benjamin P., Antunes L. Caetano M., Russell Shannon L., Croxen Matthew A., Finlay B. Brett
Primary Institution: The University of British Columbia
Hypothesis
The intestinal microbiota confers resistance to infectious colitis without affecting the ability of Salmonella Typhimurium to colonize the intestine.
Conclusion
Different members of the microbiota are associated with Salmonella colonization and colitis, indicating that microbiota composition plays a critical role in host susceptibility to infection.
Supporting Evidence
- Disruption of the intestinal microbiota alters host susceptibility to Salmonella infection.
- Different antibiotic treatments caused distinct shifts in the intestinal microbiota prior to infection.
- Members of the Bacteroidetes phylum were present at significantly higher levels in mice resistant to colitis.
- There was a positive correlation between the abundance of Lactobacillus sp. and predisposition to colitis.
Takeaway
The bacteria in our intestines can help protect us from getting sick from Salmonella, but some types of bacteria can actually make us more likely to get sick.
Methodology
The study used antibiotic treatments in mice to analyze the impact of intestinal microbiota on susceptibility to Salmonella infection.
Limitations
The study was conducted in mice, which may not fully replicate human responses.
Participant Demographics
129S1/SvImJ and C57BL/6 mice, age-matched, female, 6-8 weeks old.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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