Association of the prophage BTP1 and the prophage-encoded gene, bstA, with antivirulence of Salmonella Typhimurium ST313. Issue 3 (28th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spiegelhauer, Malene R; García, Vanesa; Guerra, Priscila R; Olsen, John E; Herrero-Fresno, Ana
• Is Part Of: Pathogens and disease. Volume 78:Issue 3(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03-28
• Subjects: bstA -- BTP1 -- virulence -- macrophage infection -- mice infection; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Pathogenesis -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Periodicals; Systems biology -- Periodicals; 616.904105
• DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-632X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The prophage BTP1 is highly conserved among strains of the pathogenic lineage Salmonella Typhimurium ST313. We aimed to analyze the role of BTP1 and the gene bstA (BTP1-encoded) in virulence of S . Typhimurium D23580, the ST313 lineage 2 reference strain. The deletion mutant D23580Δ bstA showed significantly higher replication and survival rates within human-derived THP-1 macrophages than the wild-type (WT) strain, while the mutant isolate ΔBTP1, lacking the full prophage, did not significantly differ from the WT. Interestingly, during mice infection, ΔBTP1 yielded significantly higher counts in all tested organs [spleens, livers and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN)] than the WT, and organs were significantly enlarged compared to WT-infected animals. D23580Δ bstA significantly outcompeted the WT during competitive infection of mice, and yielded significantly enlarged spleens and MLN compared to WT-infected animals during single strain infection. Moreover, increased cellular infiltration and focal necrosis were observed in the liver samples of mice infected with D23580Δ bstA and ΔBTP1 compared to WT-infected animals. In conclusion, removal of the gene bstA and the prophage BTP1 in S . Typhimurium D23580 led to increased virulence in mice, demonstrating that bstA is an antivirulence gene. Abstract : This study reveals the association of the prophage BTP1 with antivirulence of the highly pathogenic clone Salmonella Typhimurium ST313.