A laboratory study of an inactivated bivalent iron restricted Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium dual vaccine against Typhimurium challenge in chickens

Salmonella spp. in poultry production-A review of the role of interventions along the production continuum

Salmonella is a significant pathogen of human and animal health and poultry are one of the most common sources linked with foodborne illness worldwide. Global production of poultry meat and products has increased significantly over the last decade or more as a result of consumer demand and the changing demographics of the world's population, where poultry meat forms a greater part of the diet. In addition, the relatively fast growth rate of birds which is significantly higher than other meat species also plays a role in how poultry production has intensified. In an effort to meet the greater demand for poultry meat and products, modern poultry production and processing practices have changed and practices to target control and reduction of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella have been implemented. These strategies are implemented along the continuum from parent and grandparent flocks to breeders, the farm and finished broilers to transport and processing and finally from retail to the consumer. This review focuses on common practices, interventions and strategies that have potential impact for the control of Salmonella along the poultry production continuum from farm to plate.

Salmonella Typhimurium-based inactivated vaccine containing a wide spectrum of bacterial antigens which mimics protein expression changes during different stages of an infection process

Salmonella infections are still considered a persistent problem in veterinary medicine. Vaccination is one of the tools for decreasing the burden of many pathogens on animals. However, the efficiency of available commercial or experimental vaccines against non-typhoid Salmonella strains is not yet sufficient. We followed the path of an inactivated vaccine that is safe and well accepted, but whose presented antigen spectrum is limited. We improved this issue by using diverse cultivation conditions mimicking bacterial protein expression during the natural infection process. The cultivation process was set up to simulate the host environment to enhance the expression of SPI-1 (Salmonella pathogenicity island) proteins, SPI-2 proteins, siderophore-related proteins, and flagellar proteins. Three different cultivation media were used and subsequent cultures were mixed together, inactivated, and used for the immunization of post-weaned piglets. A mixture of recombinant Salmonella proteins was also used as a recombinant vaccine for comparison. The clinical symptoms during the subsequent experimental infection, antibody response, and organ bacterial loads were examined. One day after the infection, we observed an increased rectal temperature in the group of unvaccinated animals and the animals vaccinated with the recombinant vaccine. The increase in the temperature of the pigs vaccinated with the inactivated Salmonella mixture was significantly lower. In the same group, we also found lower bacterial loads in the ileum content and the colon wall. The IgG response to several Salmonella antigens was enhanced in this group, but it did not reach the titers of the group vaccinated with the recombinant vaccine. To summarize, the pigs vaccinated with an inactivated mixture of Salmonella cultures mimicking protein expression changes during the natural infection exhibited less serious clinical symptoms and lower bacterial load in the body after the experimental infection compared to the unvaccinated pigs and the pigs vaccinated with a mixture of recombinant Salmonella proteins.

Reduction in intestinal colonization and invasion of internal organs after challenge by homologous and heterologous serovars of Salmonella enterica following vaccination of chickens with a novel trivalent inactivated Salmonella vaccine

A novel inactivated vaccine, comprising three serovars of Salmonella enterica (Enteritidis, serogroup O:9; Typhimurium, serogroup O:4; Infantis, serogroup O:7) grown under conditions of iron restriction and adjuvanted with aluminium hydroxide, was evaluated for efficacy following challenge by homologous and heterologous serovars. Chickens were vaccinated at 6 and 10 weeks of age by the intramuscular route and challenged 4 to 9 weeks after the second vaccination with serovars belonging to serogroup O:9 (Enteritidis), O:4 (Typhimurium and Heidelberg), O:7 (Infantis and Virchow), and O:8 (Hadar). All vaccinated birds produced a marked systemic antibody response against each of the component vaccine antigens by the time of challenge. Significant reductions in both colonization of the intestinal tract and invasion of internal organs were observed in vaccinated birds compared with non-vaccinated controls, irrespective of the challenge serovar. The findings suggest that broad serovar protection within the constitutive serogroups of an inactivated multi-valent vaccine is possible and could, therefore, play an important role in future Salmonella control programmes. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Novel inactivated trivalent Salmonella chicken vaccine was developed and tested. Vaccine induced marked systemic antibody response against all vaccine antigens. Significant reductions in intestinal tract colonization and internal organ invasion. Vaccine efficacy demonstrated against homologous and heterologous serovars.

Safety and efficacy of a novel inactivated trivalent Salmonella enterica vaccine in chickens

Food poisoning in humans caused by Salmonella enterica remains a significant global public health concern, with the majority of infections associated with the consumption of contaminated eggs or poultry products. The safety and efficacy of a novel inactivated trivalent Salmonella enterica vaccine containing in addition to Salmonella serovars Enteritidis (O:9, serogroup D) and Typhimurium (O:4, serogroup B) also serovar Infantis (O:7, serogroup C1) formulated with an aluminium hydroxide-gel adjuvant was evaluated under field conditions. A total of 10,229 broiler breeder pullets, housed under commercial conditions, were vaccinated at 10 and 17 weeks of age by the intramuscular route in the breast muscle. The vaccine was safe with no local or systemic reactions or adverse effects on bird performance related to the vaccine detected. Vaccination resulted in notable increases in serovar specific antibodies that were maintained until at least 56 weeks of age. Vaccinated birds subjected to homologous challenges around onset of lay showed significantly reduced faecal shedding and organ invasion. Following heterologous challenge with S. Hadar (O:8, serogroup C2) faecal shedding was significantly reduced. These results demonstrate that this novel vaccine could play a significant role in a comprehensive Salmonella control programme intended to reduce both the incidence of food poisoning in humans and the use of antibiotics during poultry production.

Salmonella Enteritidis ghost vaccine carrying the hemagglutinin globular head (HA1) domain from H1N1 virus protects against salmonellosis and influenza in chickens

This study evaluated the attenuated Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) ghost strain JOL2114 (Δlon ΔcpxR Δasd), which displays on the bacterial surface the H1N1 hemagglutinin globular head portion (HA1; amino acid residues 63-286) on the bacterial surface for protective efficacy against Salmonella and H1N1 challenge in the chicken model, as the birds are the predominant reservoirs for both diseases. The ghost system enhanced the lysis process by converging two lysis processes found in bacteriophages: bacteriophage PhiX174 lysis gene E and holin-endolysin genes found in bacteriophage λ, complemented with accessory lysis-related proteins Rz/Rz1. The present lysis machinery resulted in complete lysis of host-attenuated SE strains in about 24 hrs of incubation under a non-permissible temperature of 42 °C in the absence of L-arabinose, an antisense inducer that blocks lysis gene expression during the growth phase. SE ghost JOL2114 surface display of HA1 was confirmed by Western blot analysis resulting in an immune-reactive band of 31 kDa in size. Chicken immunization via intramuscular and oral routes yielded both SE and HA1 antigen-specific immune responses. Protective humoral and cell-mediated immune responses were effectively elicited against both Salmonella and influenza challenge. This efficient strategy of ghost generation employs a dual system of phage lysis for biological generation of SE ghosts that preserves the surface antigenic architecture, offering a rapid and effective way to generate vaccines that could be deployed in urgent circumstances to protect against both Salmonella and influenza infection.

Evaluation of different live Salmonella enteritidis vaccine schedules administered during layer hen rearing to reduce excretion, organ colonization, and egg contamination

Salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Enteritidis is a widespread zoonosis and poultry products are an important source of infection. This study was carried out to evaluate the protection of different vaccination schedules in layers using a live commercial attenuated Salmonella Enteritidis vaccine based on strain Sm24/Rif12/Ssq (AviPro® Salmonella Vac E, ELANCO) during rearing and egg production. Three hundred and fifty Salmonella-free chickens were distributed into 7 vaccinated groups and 1 unvaccinated group. Different vaccination schedules were performed combining either 1, 2, or 3 oral gavage doses. Chickens from Group A, B, and C were vaccinated once, either at the first day, at 7 or 16 wk old, respectively. Chickens from Group D were vaccinated twice-at the first day and 7 wk old. Chickens from Group E were vaccinated twice-at the first day and 16 wk old. Chickens from Group F were vaccinated twice-at 7 and 16 wk old. Chickens from Group G were vaccinated 3 times, following the manufacturer's recommendation: at the first day, 7 and 16 wk old. Chickens from Group H remained unvaccinated. Five challenge trials numbered 1 to 5 were carried out at 8, 12, 16, 29, and 55 wk old, respectively. After challenge, chickens were sampled by cloacal swabbing and, after euthanasia, livers, ovaries, spleens, and cecal contents were cultured to isolate S. Enteritidis. Additionally, eggs were collected after challenge and cultured to isolate S. Enteritidis on egg shells (Trials 4 and 5). Protection against experimental infection with a virulent nalidixic acid resistant S. Enteritidis strain K285/94, was evaluated by measuring reduction of excretion, colonization, invasion into organs, eggshell contamination, and egg production. The live S. Enteritidis vaccine protected the hens by reducing S. Enteritidis excretion, isolation from organs, and egg contamination. Higher protection throughout laying period was afforded after administration of three vaccine doses during rearing period.

Shedding of Salmonella Typhimurium in vaccinated and unvaccinated hens during early lay in field conditions: a randomised controlled trial

Background

Salmonella vaccination is one of the control measure that farmers can use to reduce bacterial shedding in their flocks. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of the Vaxsafe® ST (Strain STM-1) attenuated live vaccine administered as ocular and oral doses followed by an intramuscular (IM) dose in rearing, in reducing contamination by Salmonellae of both eggs and the environment in the commercial multi-age cage layer sheds. A randomised controlled trial was conducted up to 26 weeks post last vaccine on two different multi-age caged egg farms.

Results

No clinical symptoms were observed following IM administration of STM-1 during rearing. Following the first two STM-1 doses, both vaccinated and unvaccinated birds exhibited antibody titres below the positive cut-off value, however after IM administration of STM-1, antibody titres in the vaccinated group were above the cut-off value. Wild type Salmonella Typhimurium was not detected during the rearing of pullets. During production, the antibody titres were significantly higher in the vaccinated group at all sampling points during this trial. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Salmonella (detected by culture and PCR method) between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups on the egg belt and faeces in early lay. Wild-type Salmonella spp. were consistently found in dust samples. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was able to differentiate between the live vaccine strain and wild type Salmonella. The load of wild-type Salmonella in shed environment was relatively low (1.3 log₁₀ ± 0.48 CFU/m² of surface area).

Conclusion

Given that Salmonella Typhimurium and other serovars are able to survive/persist in the shed environment (such as in dust), regular cleaning and or removal of dust from shed is important. Use of the Vaxsafe® ST vaccine in multi-age flocks is “not an ultimate intervention” for reduction of Salmonella Typhimurium because of the complexities involved in achieving control, such as the efficacy of cleaning of sheds, the lack of resting periods between batches and the possible carry over of contamination from existing flocks. Hence implementation of more than one or several interventions strategies is essential.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-018-1201-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Efficacy of a Salmonella live vaccine for turkeys in different age groups and antibody response of vaccinated and non-vaccinated turkeys

Objective

Human Salmonellosis continues to be one of the most important foodborne zoonoses worldwide, although a decrease in case numbers has been noted in recent years. It is a foodborne zoonotic infection most commonly associated with the consumption of raw egg products but also with meat consumption including the consumption of poultry products. Turkey flocks in Europe have been reported to be affected by Salmonella infection, too. The present study examines the efficacy of a newly licensed Salmonella life vaccine in reducing infections with the Salmonella serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis in turkeys. Turkeys were vaccinated the first day of life and at the age of 6 and 16 weeks. Groups of birds which had received different numbers of vaccinations were then submitted to challenge trials with either SE or ST.

Results

In vaccinated birds Salmonella counts in liver and spleen and, less effectively, in caecum were reduced compared to unvaccinated birds. In several groups serum antibody-titers were statistically significantly higher in vaccinated turkeys than in non-vaccinated ones at day seven post infection, but only in one out of six groups at day 14 post infection.

Live and inactivated vaccine regimens against caecal Salmonella Typhimurium colonisation in laying hens

Objective

In Australia, Salmonella serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is the predominant zoonotic serovar in humans and is frequently isolated from layer hens. Vaccination against this serovar has been previously shown to be effective in broilers and the aim of this current study was to assess and determine the best vaccination strategy (live or inactivated) to minimise caecal colonisation by S. Typhimurium.

Methods

A long‐term experiment (56 weeks) was conducted on ISABROWN pullets using a commercial live aroA deleted mutant S. Typhimurium vaccine and an autogenous inactivated multivalent Salmonella vaccine (containing serovars Typhimurium, Infantis, Montevideo and Zanzibar). These vaccines were administered PO or by SC or IM injection, either alone or in combination. Pullets were vaccinated throughout rearing (to 18 weeks of age) and sequentially bled for antibody titre levels. The birds, vaccinated and controls, were challenged orally with a field isolate of S. Typhimurium at different ages, held for 21 days post‐challenge, then euthanased and their caeca cultured for the presence of Salmonella.

Results

None of the oral live‐vaccinated groups exhibited lasting protection. When administered twice, the inactivated vaccine gave significant protection at 17 weeks of age and the live vaccine given by SC injection given twice produced significant protection at 17, 25 and 34 weeks.

Conclusions

Vaccination regimens that included parenteral administration of live or inactivated vaccines and thus achieved positive serum antibody levels were able to provide protection against challenge. Hence, vaccination may play a useful role in a management strategy for Salmonella carriage in layer flocks.

Colonisation of poultry by Salmonella Enteritidis S1400 is reduced by combined administration of Lactobacillus salivarius 59 and Enterococcus faecium PXN-33

Salmonella Enteritidis remains a significant issue within the poultry industry and one potential solution is to use probiotic bacteria to prevent Salmonella colonisation through competitive exclusion (CE). We demonstrate that combined administration of Lactobacillus salivarius 59 and Enterococcus faecium PXN33 were effective competitive excluders of Salmonella Enteritidis S1400 in poultry. Two models were developed to evaluate the efficacy of probiotic where birds received Salmonella Enteritidis S1400 by a) oral gavage and b) sentinel bird to bird transmission. A statistically significant (p<0.001) 2 log reduction of Salmonella Enteritidis S1400 colonisation was observed in the ileum, caecum and colon at day 43 using combined administration of the two probiotic bacteria. However, no Salmonella Enteritidis S1400 colonisation reduction was observed when either probiotic was administered individually. In the sentinel bird model the combined probiotic administered at days 12 and 20 was more effective than one-off or double administrations at age 1 and 12days. In vitro cell free culture supernatant studies suggest the mechanism of Salmonella Enteritidis S1400 inhibition was due to a reduction in pH by the probiotic bacteria. Our current study provides further evidence that probiotics can significantly reduce pathogenic bacterial colonisation in poultry and that mixed preparation of probiotics provide superior performance when compared to individual bacterial preparations.

Siderophore-based immunization strategy to inhibit growth of enteric pathogens

Infections with Gram-negative pathogens pose a serious threat to public health. This scenario is exacerbated by increases in antibiotic resistance and the limited availability of vaccines and therapeutic tools to combat these infections. Here, we report an immunization approach that targets siderophores, which are small molecules exported by enteric Gram-negative pathogens to acquire iron, an essential nutrient, in the host. Because siderophores are nonimmunogenic, we designed and synthesized conjugates of a native siderophore and the immunogenic carrier protein cholera toxin subunit B (CTB). Mice immunized with the CTB-siderophore conjugate developed anti-siderophore antibodies in the gut mucosa, and when mice were infected with the enteric pathogen Salmonella, they exhibited reduced intestinal colonization and reduced systemic dissemination of the pathogen. Moreover, analysis of the gut microbiota revealed that reduction of Salmonella colonization in the inflamed gut was accompanied by expansion of Lactobacillus spp., which are beneficial commensal organisms that thrive in similar locales as Enterobacteriaceae. Collectively, our results demonstrate that anti-siderophore antibodies inhibit Salmonella colonization. Because siderophore-mediated iron acquisition is a virulence trait shared by many bacterial and fungal pathogens, blocking microbial iron acquisition by siderophore-based immunization or other siderophore-targeted approaches may represent a novel strategy to prevent and ameliorate a broad range of infections.

A live attenuated mutant of Salmonella Montevideo triggers IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-12 cytokines that co-related with humoral and cellular immune responses required for reduction of challenge bacterial load in experimental chickens

A live attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Montevideo (SM) mutant JOL1599 was constructed by deletion of virulence-associated genes. The protective efficacy and immune response profiles of chickens immunized with JOL1599 were investigated. Immunized chickens demonstrated significant increases in plasma IgG and lymphocyte proliferative responses (P≤0.05). Increased levels of IL-6, INF-γ, and IL-12 were also observed. Immunized birds strongly responded to infection by rapid stimulation of a CD4+ subset of T cells. Organ bacterial recovery assay revealed a significant reduction in the challenge strain among immunized birds. Multiple doses of JOL1599 enhanced the immune responses of the birds as revealed by ascending trends of the immunological profiles. These findings indicate that immunization of chickens with JOL1599 may provide protection against Salmonella Montevideo infection via induction of IL-6, INF-γ, and IL-12 protective cytokines, which in turn triggers conducive humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.

Mapping B-cell responses to Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis in chickens for the discrimination of infected from vaccinated animals

Serological surveillance and vaccination are important strategies for controlling infectious diseases of food production animals. However, the compatibility of these strategies is limited by a lack of assays capable of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA tests) for established killed or attenuated vaccines. Here, we used next generation phage-display (NGPD) and a 2-proportion Z score analysis to identify peptides that were preferentially bound by IgY from chickens infected with Salmonella Typhimurium or S. Enteritidis compared to IgY from vaccinates, for both an attenuated and an inactivated commercial vaccine. Peptides that were highly enriched against IgY from at least 4 out of 10 infected chickens were selected: 18 and 12 peptides for the killed and attenuated vaccines, respectively. The ten most discriminatory peptides for each vaccine were identified in an ELISA using a training set of IgY samples. These peptides were then used in multi-peptide assays that, when analysing a wider set of samples from infected and vaccinated animals, diagnosed infection with 100% sensitivity and specificity. The data describes a method for the development of DIVA assays for conventional attenuated and killed vaccines.

Challenges in Veterinary Vaccine Development and Immunization

In approaching the development of a veterinary vaccine, researchers must choose from a bewildering array of options that can be combined to enhance benefit. The choice and combination of options is not just driven by efficacy, but also consideration of the cost, practicality, and challenges faced in licensing the product. In this review we set out the different choices faced by veterinary vaccine developers, highlight some issues, and propose some pressing needs to be addressed.

Characterization of a Salmonella Typhimurium ghost carrying an adjuvant protein as a vaccine candidate for the protection of chickens against virulent challenge

In this study we describe the generation of a safe, immunogenic, genetically inactivated Salmonella Typhimurium ghost vaccine candidate carrying the Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (LTB) protein as an adjuvant molecule. An asd(+) p15A ori(-) plasmid pJHL187-LTB harbouring the E lysis gene cassette and a foreign antigen delivery cassette containing the eltB gene was used to transform a Δasd Salmonella Typhimurium (JOL1311) strain to construct the ghost strain, JOL1499. Incubation of mid-logarithmic phase JOL1499 cultures at 42°C resulted in co-expression of the eltB and E lysis genes, leading to the generation of Salmonella Typhimurium ghost cells carrying the LTB protein (Salmonella Typhimurium-LTB ghost). The production of LTB in Salmonella Typhimurium-LTB ghost preparations was confirmed by western blot analysis, and functional activity of the LTB protein to bind with GM1 receptors was determined by means of GM1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Efficacy of the Salmonella Typhimurium-LTB ghost as a vaccine candidate was evaluated in a chicken model using 56 chickens at 5 weeks old, which were divided into four groups (n = 14): group A was designated the non-vaccinated control group, whereas the birds in groups B, C, and D were immunized intramuscularly with 10(9), 10(8), and 10(7) ghost cells, respectively. Compared with the non-immunized chickens (group A), immunized chickens (groups B, C and D) exhibited increased titres of plasma IgG and intestinal secretory IgA antibodies. After oral challenge with 10(9) colony-forming units of a virulent Salmonella Typhimurium strain, the vaccinated group B birds showed a decrease in internal organ colonization with the challenge strain.

Computational modeling and preliminary iroN, fepA, and cirA gene expression in Salmonella Enteritidis under iron-deficiency-induced conditions

Salmonellosis outbreaks in Europe, the United States, and Latin America have been associated with contaminated food derivatives including meat from the poultry industry. Salmonella grown under iron-limiting conditions has the capability to increase concentration of several iron-regulated outer-membrane proteins to augment the acquisition of the metal. These proteins have been proved to have immunogenic properties. Our aim was to increase the relative expression of iroN, fepA, and cirA in Salmonella Enteritidis domestic strain. Furthermore, we proposed a 3-dimensional structure model for each protein to predict and locate antigenic peptides. Our eventual objective is to produce an effective vaccine against regional avian salmonellosis. Two simple factorial designs were carried out to discriminate between 2 nitrogen sources and determine chelating-agent addition timing to augment relative gene expression. Two antigenic peptides located at the external face of each protein and 2 typical domains of iron-regulated outer-membrane proteins, plug and TonB-dep-Rec, were identified from the 3-dimensional models. Tryptone was selected as the best nitrogen source based on growth rate (μx = 0.36 h(-1)) and biomass productivity (Px = 0.9 g•h(-1)•L(-1)) as determined by a general factorial design. Optimum timing for chelating agent addition was in the middle of the log phase, which allowed relative expressions at 4 h of culture. Increase in iroN, fepA, and cirA relative expression was favored by the length of log phase and the addition of chelating agent, which decreased chelating toxicity and enhanced cell growth rate.

Salmonella vaccines in poultry: past, present and future

Salmonella species are important zoonotic pathogens that cause gastrointestinal disease in humans and animals. Poultry products contaminated with these pathogens are one of the major sources of human Salmonella infections. Vaccination of chickens, along with other intervention measures, is an important strategy that is currently being used to reduce the levels of Salmonella in poultry flocks, which will ultimately lead to lower rates of human Salmonella infections. However, despite numerous studies that have been performed, there is still a need for safer, well-defined Salmonella vaccines. This review examines the different classes of Salmonella vaccines that have been tested, highlighting the merits and problems of each, and provides an insight into the future of Salmonella vaccines and the platforms that can be used for delivery.

CpG oligonucleotides and recombinant interferon-γ in combination improve protection in chickens to Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis challenge as an adjuvant component, but have no effect in reducing Salmonella carriage in infected chickens

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is the most common cause of human salmonellosis in many developed nations. It is frequently associated with both poultry meat and eggs. In the present study we have determined whether CpG oligonucleotides that stimulate the immune system via Toll like-receptors 15 and 21 in the chicken can be used as immunomodulatory agents to break carriage of S. Enteritidis in in vitro and in vivo infection models. We also investigated its use as a component in an adjuvant to stimulate cell mediated immunity with a killed vaccine preparation. Following infection of the chicken macrophage-like cell line HD11 with Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum, cells were stimulated with an oligonucleotide containing a CpG motif, or with a non-CpG oligonucleotide control at concentrations ranging from 0 to 80 µM. Addition of the CpG oligonucleotide greatly enhanced clearance of S. Enteritidis in dose-dependent manner, whilst the control oligonucleotide had no significant effect. In contrast, stimulation of cells infected with S. Gallinarum had no effect. The CpG or control oligonucleotide with recombinant chicken interferon-γ was administered intramuscularly into chickens experimentally colonized with S. Enteritidis, although neither preparation produced any change in intestinal colonization levels to that in untreated control birds. Finally, CpG oligonucleotides were incorporated with recombinant interferon-γ, double-stranded RNA (Poly I:C) and squalene as a Th1-stimulating combined adjuvant for synergistic activation of cellular immunity (CASAC) together with whole killed Salmonella as the antigen as an experimental vaccine. Following vaccination and challenge of chickens with S. Enteritidis, CASAC gave significant protection to intestinal colonization whereas the same antigen given with a proprietary adjuvant did not. Neither adjuvant increased protection to systemic infection. The data suggest that adjuvants incorporating CpG motifs and interferon-γ may improve protection afforded by killed-Salmonella vaccines.

Advances in enteropathogen control in poultry production

Poultry meat has been associated frequently and consistently with the transmission of enteric pathogens, including Salmonella and Campylobacter. This association has resulted in the development of HACCP-based intervention strategies. These strategies (hurdles) begin with elite breeder flocks and filter down the production pyramid. These hurdles include those already established, such as biosecurity, vaccination, competitive exclusion, pre- and probiotics, feed and water control, and those more experimental, such as bacteriophage or immunoglobulin therapy. The reduction in enteropathogens entering the processing plant, which employs critical control points, further reduce the exposure of consumers to these organisms. The synergistic application of hurdles will result in an environment that is restrictive and detrimental to enteropathogen colonization and contamination.

Comparative evaluation of a bivalent killed Salmonella vaccine to prevent egg contamination with Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis, Typhimurium, and Gallinarum biovar Pullorum, using 4 different challenge models

We evaluated a newly developed commercial bivalent killed Salmonella vaccine Oilvax SET for its ability to decrease contamination with Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium in layer chickens. In either an oral or intravaginal challenge model, the fecal shedding was decreased in vaccinated hens, but egg contamination was not evaluated due to scarcity of contaminated eggs even in the unvaccinated control groups. In contrast, an intravenous and an intraperitoneal challenge resulted in the relatively high level of egg contamination in unvaccinated chickens, which was significantly reduced in vaccinated chickens. In a second experiment, 2 strains of Salmonella serovar Gallinarum biovar Pullorum, which has the common O9 antigen with SE and transmits vertically into eggs, were used to test the efficacy of the Oilvax SET against egg transmission. Vertical egg transmission by the Pullorum strain was significantly reduced in the vaccinated groups of hens. The Oilvax SET can be a useful tool in the control of Salmonella egg contamination in laying hens.

Salmonella infections: immune and non-immune protection with vaccines

Salmonella enterica in poultry remains a major political issue. S. enterica serovar Enteritidis, particularly, remains a world-wide problem. Control in poultry by immunity, whether acquired or innate, is a possible means of containing the problem. Widespread usage of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This problem has indicated an increasing requirement for effective vaccines to control this important zoonotic infection. An attempt is made in the present review to explain the relatively poor success in immunizing food animals against these non-host-specific Salmonella serotypes that usually produce food-poisoning, compared with the success obtained with the small number of serotypes that more typically produce systemic "typhoid-like" diseases. New examinations of old problems such as the carrier state and vertical transmission, observed with S. Pullorum, is generating new information of relevance to immunity. Newer methods of attenuation are being developed. Live vaccines, if administered orally, demonstrate non-specific and rapid protection against infection that is of biological and practical interest. However, from the point of view of consumer safety, there is a school of thought that considers inactivated or sub-unit vaccines to be the safest. The benefits of developing effective killed or sub-unit vaccines over the use of live vaccines are enormous. Recently, there have been significant advances in the development of adjuvants (e.g. microspheres) that are capable of potent immuno-stimulation, targeting different arms of the immune system. The exploitation of such technology in conjunction with the ongoing developments in identifying key Salmonella virulence determinants should form the next generation of Salmonella sub-unit vaccines for the control of this important group of pathogens. There are additional areas of concern associated with the use of live vaccines, particularly if these are generated by genetic manipulation.

Observations on Salmonella contamination of eggs from infected commercial laying flocks where vaccination for Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis had been used

Eggs were collected monthly from 12 cage-layer flocks on four farms where Salmonella Enteritidis was present in vaccinated flocks despite vaccination with an S. Enteritidis bacterin. Where possible, hens were also taken for culture at the end of the laying period, and faecal and environmental samples were taken from the laying houses before and after cleaning and disinfection. Twenty-four batches of six egg shells from the 13 652 tested (0.18% [0.11 to 0.26 CI(95)] single egg equivalent) were positive for S. Enteritidis and 54 (0.40% [0.30 to 0.52 CI(95)] single egg equivalent) for other serovars. Six batches of 13 640 (0.04% [0.02 to 0.10 CI95] single egg equivalent) egg contents, bulked in six egg pools, contained S. Enteritidis and three batches contained other serovars. In addition three further batches contained S. Enteritidis in both contents and shells, and two other batches contained other serovars in both. The total level of contamination by S. Enteritidis of both contents and shells found in vaccinated flocks was therefore 33 batches/13 682 eggs(0.24% [0.17 to 0.34 CI(95)] single egg equivalent). The total of contamination for any Salmonella serovar was 92 batches/13 682 eggs (0.68% [0.55 to 0.84 CI(95)] single egg equivalent). These results contrast with the findings of testing of eggs from three unvaccinated flocks prior to this study where 21 batches of egg shells from a total of 2101 eggs (1.0% [0.63 to 1.56 CI(95)] single egg equivalent) and six batches of contents from 2051 eggs (0.29% [0.11 to 0.64 CI95] single egg equivalent) were contaminated with S. Enteritidis. S. Enteritidis was found in 67/699 (9.6%) of vaccinated spent hens and 64/562 (11.4%) of bulked fresh faecal samples taken from laying houses. Failure to adequately clean and disinfect laying houses and to control mice appeared to be a common feature on the farms.

A strong antigen-specific T-cell response is associated with age and genetically dependent resistance to avian enteric salmonellosis

Chicken genetics and age affect resistance to enteric infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and were used to identify the immune responses that may contribute to rapid clearance. When birds were infected at 40 days of age, line 6(1) chickens cleared the infection more effectively than line N chickens, whereas when birds were infected at 10 days of age, both chicken lines were highly susceptible to infection. Antibody levels, T-cell responsiveness, and cytokine mRNA levels were all elevated during infection. A negative correlation between resistance and antigen-specific antibody production was observed in older chickens. However, this finding was not replicated for age-related resistance; we found that older chickens exhibited a stronger and more rapid antibody response than younger chickens. The levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) mRNA were similar in the spleens and cecal tonsils of both line 6(1) and line N chickens, except for higher levels of IL-1beta in the spleens of line 6(1) chickens at 6 days postinfection. Differences in the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-1beta 1beta mRNA between the lines were more apparent in younger chickens, but while the increases were greater than those observed in the older chickens, the clearance of enteric S. enterica serovar Typhimurium was much slower. The level of antigen-specific proliferation of splenocytes was associated with increased resistance in both experimental systems, and the strongest responses were observed in older and genetically resistant chickens. The data presented here implicate T-cell responses in the clearance of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium from the intestine of infected chickens.

Protective ability of subcellular extracts from Salmonella Enteritidis and from a rough isogenic mutant against salmonellosis in mice

We evaluated the efficacy of surface components enriched hot saline extracts (HE) from parental and two isogenic rough mutant strains of Salmonella Enteritidis as subcellular vaccine candidates. By a randomized mutagenesis approach from a clinical isolate of S. Enteritidis there were selected two rough mutants defective in LPS synthesis (R1 and R2 mutants). The mutations mapped to the wcaI gene and gmd gene, respectively, of the O-antigen gene cluster involved in O-antigen synthesis. BALB/c mice received intraperitoneally one single dose of 30 microg of HE from parental and mutant strains, and the protection against a lethal infection with S. Enteritidis was determined. In contrast to the wild type extract, immunization with rough extracts did not induce any distress symptoms in the mice. HE extract from wild type and R1 strains induced the highest immunogenic response with respect IFN-gamma eliciting splenic cells, in contrast with HE-R2. These results correlated with the obtained levels of protection. Thus, at day 63 post-infection, HE from parental strain rendered an 80% level of protection; HE-R1 conferred a 60% level of protection, whereas HE-R2 did not protect the mice. Any of the antigenic extracts elicited systemic IgG1 and IgG2a responses, although these antibodies did not, however, correlate with protection. These results put forward the importance of cellular immune response mediated by IFN-gamma in protection against salmonellosis. The significantly different protective capacity between HE extracts from both rough mutants suggest that other factors independent of the O-chain, like outer membrane proteins and fimbrial antigens, may be involved in protection. In summary, the HE is a good candidate acellular extract for evaluation of its protective ability against salmonellosis following vaccination in poultry.

Cytokine and chemokine responses associated with clearance of a primary Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection in the chicken and in protective immunity to rechallenge

Infection of poultry with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium poses a significant risk to public health through contamination of meat from infected animals. Vaccination has been proposed to control infections in chickens. However, the vaccines are currently largely empirical, and our understanding of the mechanisms that underpin immune clearance and protection in avian salmonellosis is not complete. In this study we describe the cytokine, chemokine, and antibody responses and cellular changes in primary and secondary infections of chickens with Salmonella serovar Typhimurium. Infection of 1-week-old chickens induced early expression of a macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) family chemokine in the spleen and liver, followed by increased expression of gamma interferon accompanied by increased numbers of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and the formation of granuloma-like follicular lesions. This response correlated with a Th1-mediated clearance of the systemic infection. Primary infection also induced specific immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, and IgA antibody responses. In contrast to previously published studies performed with newly hatched chicks, the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the gastrointestinal tract were not greatly increased following infection. However, significant expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta4 was detected in the gut early in infection. Following secondary challenge, the birds were fully protected against systemic infection and showed a high level of protection against gastrointestinal colonization. Rapid expression of the MIP family chemokine and interleukin-6 was detected in the guts of these birds and was accompanied by an influx of lymphocytes. Increased levels of serum IgA-specific antibodies were also found following rechallenge. These findings suggest that cellular responses, particularly Th1 responses, play a crucial role in immune clearance in avian salmonellosis and that protection against rechallenge involves the rapid recruitment of cells to the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, the high levels of inflammatory response found following Salmonella serovar Typhimurium infection of newly hatched chicks were not observed following infection of older birds (1 week old), in which the expression of regulatory cytokines appeared to limit inflammation.

Vaccines against Infections Caused by Salmonella, Shigella, and Pathogenic Escherichia coli

Infectious diseases represent one of the most common causes of death worldwide, with the enteropathogenic bacteria Salmonella and Shigella and pathogenic Escherichia coli being among the most detrimental. Currently, vaccination represents the preferred method of preventing such infections. For stimulating the adaptive immune response, immunizations are frequently based on formulations which include inactivated whole-cell vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, or subunit vaccines. These can be administered via a parenteral or mucosal route, the latter having the advantage that it most closely mimics the actual course of infection. In addition to the type of vaccine and method of application, important consideration needs to be paid to safety, efficacy, and cost, which are often major bottlenecks in the successful implementation of vaccines. In this chapter we take a limited look at the history surrounding vaccinations involving Salmonella, Shigella, and pathogenic E. coli. Salmonella infections, which can lead to typhoid fever, are becoming increasing difficult to treat with antibiotics due to multi-drug-resistant strains. At present, the parenteral Vi-based subunit vaccines and the live attenuated oral vaccine Ty21a have proven to be the vaccines of choice, with high levels of protective efficacy and limited side effects. Shigella infections are responsible for the diarrheal disease shigellosis. Various live and nonliving mucosal and parenteral vaccines have been tested, with the most promising candidates evolving around those that stimulate the production of O-antigen-specific antibodies. Pathogenic Escherichia coli infections can lead to severe diseases due to the bacterium's production of several specific toxins. Vaccines against this bacterium target its toxins, as well as surface-exposed antigens, all of which have been found to be effective as immunogens.

Age at primary infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in the chicken influences persistence of infection and subsequent immunity to re-challenge

Salmonella enterica remains one of the most important food-borne pathogens of humans and is often acquired through consumption of infected poultry meat or eggs. Control of Salmonella infections in chicken is therefore an important public health issue. Infection with S. enterica serovar Typhimurium results in a persistent enteric infection without clinical disease in chickens of more than 3 days of age, and represents a source for contamination of carcass at slaughter and entry into the human food chain. Data presented indicate a profound effect of age at initial exposure on the persistence of infection and a lesser effect on the development of effective immunity to re-challenge. The percentage of birds positive for Salmonella was high until 8-9 weeks of age, regardless of the age at which the birds were infected (1, 3 or 6 weeks). The birds infected at 3 and 6 weeks of age produced a more rapid and higher antibody response (IgY and IgA) than those infected at 1 week of age, but in all cases infection persisted for a considerable period despite the presence of high antibody levels. Following a re-challenge infection with S. Typhimurium, all three previously-infected groups had fewer bacteria in the gut, spleen and liver compared with age-matched birds receiving a parallel primary infection. However, the birds primary infected at 3 and 6 weeks of age cleared infection more rapidly than those infected at a younger age. Interestingly older-primed birds had higher specific T lymphocyte proliferative responses and specific circulating levels of IgY antibody at time of re-challenge. Although birds initially infected at 1 week of age and those that were previously uninfected produced a stronger antibody response following re-challenge, they were slower to clear Salmonella from the gut than the older-primed groups which expressed a stronger T lymphocyte response. The data presented indicate that clearance of Salmonella from the gut is age-dependent and we propose that this relates to the increased competence of the enteric T cell response. The findings that Salmonella persists beyond 8-9 weeks, irrespective of age at exposure, has implications for the broiler sector and indicates the need to remain Salmonella free throughout the rearing period. Moreover, the re-challenge data demonstrates that infection at a young age is less effective in producing protective immunity than in older chickens. This feature of the development of protective immunity needs to be considered when developing vaccines for the broiler sector of the poultry industry.