Salmonella pathogenesis and host-adaptation in farmed animals

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genomics
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Salmonella is a significant global animal and zoonotic pathogen.
• Salmonella infections range from asymptomatic to severe gastroenteritis or invasive disease.
• Understanding Salmonella pathogenesis and host adaptation is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the use of genomic data for predicting Salmonella's invasive potential, host adaptation, and zoonotic risk.
• To identify Salmonella virulence factors through functional genomic analysis.
• To leverage insights from farmed animals as natural hosts for Salmonella research.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of genomic signatures of Salmonella enterica serovars.
• Functional annotation of Salmonella genomes using high-density mutant libraries.
• Comparative genomics focusing on farmed animals as natural hosts and reservoirs.

Main Results:

• Genomic signatures associated with host-range, tissue tropism, and virulence have been identified.
• Functional screening revealed host-specific, niche-specific, and serovar-specific virulence factors.
• Farmed animals offer unique insights into Salmonella host-adaptation and pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

• Predicting Salmonella's invasive potential and zoonotic risk from sequence data is becoming feasible.
• Genomic analysis enhances outbreak investigation, risk assessment, and control strategies.
• Farmed animals are valuable models for studying Salmonella pathogenesis and host adaptation.