Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium exploits inflammation to compete with the intestinal microbiota
2007

Salmonella Typhimurium Uses Inflammation to Compete with Gut Bacteria

Sample size: 7 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Stecher Bärbel, Robbiani Riccardo, Walker Alan W, Westendorf Astrid M, Barthel Manja, Kremer Marcus, Chaffron Samuel, Macpherson Andrew J, Buer Jan, Parkhill Julian, Dougan Gordon, von Mering Christian, Hardt Wolf-Dietrich

Primary Institution: Institute of Microbiology, Swiss Institute of Technology Zurich

Hypothesis

How does Salmonella Typhimurium manipulate the intestinal microbiota to overcome colonization resistance?

Conclusion

Inflammation is necessary for Salmonella Typhimurium to outcompete the protective gut microbiota.

Supporting Evidence

  • Inflammation induced by Salmonella Typhimurium changes the composition of the gut microbiota.
  • An avirulent mutant of Salmonella was outcompeted by the microbiota.
  • Inflammation can be induced by co-infection with wild-type Salmonella.

Takeaway

Salmonella can use inflammation in the gut to push out good bacteria and take over the space for itself.

Methodology

The study used a mouse model of colitis to analyze the interaction between Salmonella Typhimurium and the gut microbiota.

Participant Demographics

Mice used in the study included various strains, including C57BL/6 and IL10−/−.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p ≤ 0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pbio.0050244

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