Chicken Embryo as an In Vivo Model to Revive Viable but Non-Culturable Pathogens

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biomedical Research
• Pathogen Detection

Background:

• The viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state allows bacteria to survive harsh conditions, posing a public health risk.
• VBNC pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes evade detection by conventional methods.
• Understanding VBNC pathogen revival is critical for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish an efficient in vivo model for reviving VBNC Listeria monocytogenes.
• To investigate the role of host factors in VBNC pathogen reactivation.
• To identify mechanisms driving the revival of dormant bacteria.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a chicken embryo model to revive VBNC L. monocytogenes generated by starvation.
• Compared in vivo revival in chicken embryos with in vitro methods.
• Investigated embryo-associated factors essential for bacterial revival.

Main Results:

• The chicken embryo model successfully revived VBNC L. monocytogenes into a culturable state.
• In vitro revival attempts based on nutrition were unsuccessful.
• Embryo-associated factors are essential for VBNC L. monocytogenes revival.

Conclusions:

• The chicken embryo is an effective in vivo model for VBNC pathogen revival.
• Embryo-associated factors play a critical role in reactivating dormant bacteria.
• This model can aid in identifying bacterial factors involved in VBNC state revival and understanding pathogen dormancy.