An integrated approach to understanding mucosal immunity to Campylobacter infection in the chicken
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Veterinary Clinical Science
Abstract
This project uses a new way of working, by combining modelling and experimental approaches together in a way that both informs each arm of the project, but more importantly brings them together allowing us to better understand the complex interactions of the mucosal immune response to the bacterial pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. C. jejuni is the most common cause of foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, with the overwhelming majority of cases associated with chicken. Despite the fact that around 70% of UK retail chicken is contaminated with Campylobacter our understanding of its infection biology in the broiler chicken in surprisingly limited. Our recent work has begun to elucidate the innate immune response to infection of the chicken and combining data from these studies with a modelling approach through Bayesian structural equation modelling has allowed us to identify immunological differences between chicken breeds that underlie differences in infection phenotype. This project will build upon previous work to model innate, adaptive and regulatory responses during C. jejuni infection to determine which are involved in long-term colonization of the chicken, those associated with clearance of infection and those with poor gut health. Using this combined approach gives us a unique insight as to what is important and how this could be utilized in controls such as vaccines or make improvements to chicken gut health thereby improving animal health and welfare and ultimately reduce the burden of Campylobacter associated with chicken production.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Paul Wigley (Primary Supervisor) | |
Rachel Gilroy (Student) |
Publications
Lacharme-Lora L
(2017)
B lymphocytes play a limited role in clearance of Campylobacter jejuni from the chicken intestinal tract
in Scientific Reports
Lacharme-Lora L
(2019)
The use of chicken and insect infection models to assess the virulence of African Salmonella Typhimurium ST313.
in PLoS neglected tropical diseases
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011186/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1644280 | Studentship | BB/M011186/1 | 30/09/2015 | 29/09/2019 | Rachel Gilroy |
Description | - Early modulation of the chicken microbiome by administration of a caecal microbiota transplant (CMT) from an adult bird will significantly impact subsequent C. jejuni infection biology in an experimental model. This was assessed as having more significant impact in the reduction of C. jejuni colonisation compared to a leading commercial avian competitive exclusion product. - Campylobacter jejuni is able to rapidly and persistently colonise the avian caeca, with this inducing an inflammatory response modulated by a network of cytokines and chemokines. This strongly supports previous findings and contradicts the earliest understanding that C. jejuni was commensal within the chicken microibome. |
Exploitation Route | -Provides preliminary data regarding the efficacy of CMT as a prophylactic treatment in the prevention of C. jejuni colonisation of the broiler chicken. Our work provides understanding that application in this way may delay colonisation of C. jejuni within the chicken to almost slaughter age, despite continued environmental exposure. It would be important to develop this research in terms of feasibility of CMT as a commercial product within the poultry industry, or at the very least, elucidate the beneficial microorganisms derived from CMT material that are currently lacking within the commercial probiotics available. It is also possible for the benefits seen here against C. jejuni infection to be extended to further foodborne pathogens, including salmonella. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | https://www.newscientist.com/article/2189365-baby-chicks-could-be-given-faecal-transplants-to-ward-off-infections/ |
Description | Primer Design Postgraduate student sponsorship scheme |
Amount | £0 (GBP) |
Organisation | PrimerDesign |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2018 |
End | 02/2019 |
Description | Meet the Scientist event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Event held in the world museum, Liverpool. Chance for the general public to meet 'scientists' with various stalls and activities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | careers spotlight event involving STEM |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Talking to small groups of year 6 children at a local primary school about my current job within science at what it entails including educational background and qualifications. Each spotlight lasted 10 minuted before receiving another small group to repeat the same spotlight. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |