Studies into the role of the SEF14 fimbrial antigen in the pathogenesis of Salmonella enteritidis

Thorns, C. J., Turcotte, C., Gemmell, C. G. and Woodward, M. J. (1996) Studies into the role of the SEF14 fimbrial antigen in the pathogenesis of Salmonella enteritidis. Microbial Pathogenesis, 20 (4). pp. 235-246. ISSN 0882-4010 doi: 10.1006/mpat.1996.0022

Abstract/Summary

To investigate the role of the SEF14 fimbrial antigen in pathogenesis, a single defined sefA (SEF14(-)) inactivated mutant of Salmonella enteritidis strain LA5 was constructed and tested in a number of biological assay systems. There was no significant difference between the wild-type strain and the isogenic SEF14(-) mutant in their abilities to adhere to and invade HEp-2 epithelial cells or their survival in mouse peritoneal macrophages, whereas the SEF14(-) mutant was ingested more rapidly by isolated human PMN. Both the strains colonized the intestine, invaded and spread systemically in 1 day-old chicks, laying hens and BALB/c mice equally well. A significantly greater number of chicks excreted the wildtype SEF14(+) strain during the first week following infection as compared to those infected with the SEF14(-) mutant. However, similar numbers of chicks excreted the two strains between 2 and 7 weeks after infection. These results indicate that possession of SEF14 fimbriae alone do not appear to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of S. enteritidis although its contribution to virulence may be dependent on the host species infected. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited