Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2026
In Vitro Assay of Bacterial Adhesion onto Mammalian Epithelial Cells
Published on: May 16, 2011
Adherence of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale to chicken embryo lung cells as a pathogenic mechanism
Miguel A De la Rosa-Ramos1,2, Karina Muñoz-Solís1, Mario Palma-Zepeda3
1a Laboratorio de Microbiología Veterinaria, Departamento de Microbiología de la Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional , Mexico City , Mexico.
Abstract:
Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale is a bacterium that causes respiratory disease in birds and it has been isolated in countries with a large poultry production, including Mexico. The pathogenicity mechanisms of this bacterium have not been completely elucidated yet. The capacity of the bacterium to adhere to epithelial cells of chicken in vitro has been evidenced, and since this bacterium has been isolated from the lungs and air sacs of several avian species, the aim of this study was to determine if this bacterium can adhere to chicken lung cells. We used five O. rhinotracheale reference serovars (A-E) that were in contact with primary lung cells cultured from a 19-day-old chicken embryo. O. rhinotracheale adherence was evaluated through optical and transmission electron microscopies. The results revealed that O. rhinotracheale is capable of adhering to chicken embryo lung cells within 3 h of incubation with a diffuse adherence pattern. The adherence percentages of the chicken embryo lung cells were 51-96% according to the serovar of the bacterium. Relative adherence was from 4 to 8 bacteria per cell. Transmission electron microscope data revealed intracellular bacteria inside a vacuole in less than 3 h of incubation.
Insights
Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale adheres to chicken lung cells, with infection occurring within 3 hours. This study confirms bacterial adhesion and intracellular invasion, crucial for understanding avian respiratory disease.
Area of Science:
- Avian pathology
- Bacteriology
- Cell biology
Background:
- Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale causes respiratory disease in poultry.
- Its pathogenicity mechanisms, particularly adhesion, require further elucidation.
- The bacterium has been isolated from avian respiratory tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adherence of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale to chicken lung cells.
- To determine the time course and pattern of bacterial adhesion.
- To assess the potential for intracellular invasion.
Main Methods:
- Primary lung cells from 19-day-old chicken embryos were cultured.
- Five O. rhinotracheale reference serovars (A-E) were incubated with lung cells.
- Adherence was evaluated using optical and transmission electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- O. rhinotracheale demonstrated adherence to chicken embryo lung cells within 3 hours.
- Adherence percentages varied from 51-96% depending on the serovar.
- Transmission electron microscopy revealed intracellular bacteria within vacuoles.
Conclusions:
- Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale adheres to chicken lung cells with a diffuse pattern.
- The bacterium can invade chicken lung cells within 3 hours of incubation.
- These findings contribute to understanding O. rhinotracheale pathogenesis in avian respiratory disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:56Gastrulation
01:25Colonisation of Pathogens