Application of microarray analysis of foodborne Salmonella in poultry production: a review

Salmonellosis in the United States is one of the most costly foodborne diseases. Given that Salmonella can originate from a wide variety of environments, reduction of this organism at all stages of poultry production is critical. Salmonella species can encounter various environmental stress conditions that can dramatically influence their survival and virulence. Previous knowledge of Salmonella species genomic regulation of metabolism and physiology in relation to poultry is based on limited information of a few well-characterized genes. Consequently, although there is some information about environmental signals that control Salmonella growth and pathogenesis, much still remains unknown. Advancements in DNA sequencing technologies revolutionized the way bacteria were studied and molecular tools such as microarrays have subsequently been used for comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of Salmonella. With microarray analysis, the expression levels of each single gene in the Salmonella genome can be directly assessed and previously unknown genetic systems that are required for Salmonella growth and survival in the poultry production cycle can be elucidated. This represents an opportunity for development of novel approaches for limiting Salmonella establishment in all phases of poultry production. In this review, recent advances in transcriptome-microarray technologies that are facilitating a better understanding of Salmonella biology in poultry production and processing are discussed.