Growth in Egg Yolk Enhances Salmonella Enteritidis Colonization and Virulence in a Mouse Model of Human Colitis

Abstract

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) is one of the most common causes of bacterial food-borne illnesses in the world. Despite the SE’s ability to colonize and infect a wide-range of host, the most common source of infection continues to be the consumption of contaminated shell eggs and egg-based products. To date, the role of the source of SE infection has not been studied as it relates to SE pathogenesis and resulting disease. Using a streptomycin-treated mouse model of human colitis, this study examined the virulence of SE grown in egg yolk and Luria Bertani (LB) broth, and mouse feces collected from mice experimentally infected with SEE1 (SEE1 passed through mice). Primary observations revealed that the mice infected with SE grown in egg yolk displayed greater illness and disease markers than those infected with SE passed through mice or grown in LB broth. Furthermore, the SE grown in egg yolk achieved higher rates of colonization in the mouse intestines and extra-intestinal organs of infected mice than the SE from LB broth or mouse feces. Our results here indicate that the source of SE infection may contribute to the overall pathogenesis of SE in a second host. These results also suggest that reservoir-pathogen dynamics may be critical for SE’s ability to establish colonization and priming for virulence potential.

Phylogenetic structure of Salmonella Enteritidis provides context for a foodborne outbreak in Peru

“…Salmonella Enteritidis is one of the main causes of food-related illness worldwide, facilitated by its ability to colonize and infect a wide range of hosts, especially through eggs and products made with them 22 . In Peru, there are few studies and records related to the study of the epidemiology of this serovar, and little information related to phylogenetic and molecular studies 23,24 .…”

Microbiological, immunological, and histological changes in the gut of Salmonella Enteritidis-challenged rats fed goat cheese containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus EM1107

“…Animals were deprived of water and fed 4 h before and 2 h after SE inoculation, as in a previous experimental protocol (Moreau et al, 2016). After this time, the animals had free access to water and food.…”

Genetic Basis of Salmonella Enteritidis Pathogenesis in Chickens

“…Collectively, the published body of literature suggests that SE likely undergoes significant metabolic adjustments in egg albumen and that certain strains of SE are likely to be more genetically fit to propagate in egg albumen. One report shows that passage of SE in the egg yolk confers a higher rate of intestinal colonization and extraintestinal organ invasion in orally inoculated mice when compared with SE passaged in laboratory media or in mouse (Moreau et al, 2016). This raises the possibility that propagation of SE within egg contents can significantly increase the pathogenicity of SE in the host; however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown.…”