Infection and Immunity
Infection and Immunity
5 years ago

The influence of the gut microbiota composition on Campylobacter jejuni colonization in chickens.

Rychlik I, Han Z, Li L, Rautenschlein S, Willer T, Velge P, Pielsticker C, Kaspers B
Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni)-host-interaction may be affected by the host's gut microbiota through competitive exclusion, metabolites or modification of the immune response. To understand this interaction C. jejuni colonization and local immune responses were compared in chickens with different gut microbiota composition. Birds were treated with an antibiotic cocktail (AT) (Experiment 1 and 2) or raised under germ-free (GF) conditions (Experiment 3). At 18 days post hatch (dph), they were either orally inoculated with 104 colony forming units (CFU) of C. jejuni or diluent. Caecal as well as systemic C. jejuni-colonization, T- and B-cell numbers in the gut and gut-associated tissue were compared between the different groups. Significantly higher numbers of CFU of C. jejuni were detected in caecal content of AT and GF birds, with higher colonization rates in spleen, liver and ileum compared to birds with a conventional gut microbiota (p < 0.05). Significant up-regulation of T and B lymphocyte numbers was detected in caecum, caecal tonsils and bursa of Fabricius of AT or GF birds after C. jejuni-inoculation compared to the respective controls (p < 0.05). This difference was less clear in birds with a conventional gut microbiota. Histopathological gut lesions were only observed in C. jejuni-inoculated AT and GF birds but not in microbiota-colonized C. jejuni-inoculated hatchmates. These results demonstrate that the gut microbiota may contribute to the control of C. jejuni colonization and prevent lesion development. Further studies are needed to identify key players of the gut microbiota and the mechanisms behind their protective role.

Publisher URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28808158

DOI: PubMed:28808158

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