Health - Determining the effect of Salmonella infection on longlived intestinal macrophages and identifying their role in preventing IBD

Salmonella is a globally significant intestinal infection, causing an estimated 93.8 million cases of gastroenteritis per year. Although usually a self-limiting disease, Salmonella infection can result in increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colon cancer. The reasons for these post-infection problems are not fully known and further understanding may lead to the development of restorative therapies to prevent these adverse outcomes. Macrophages are known to play a critical role in maintaining gastrointestinal health, contributing to maintaining mucosal barrier integrity and controlling inflammation at this site; dysregulation of these functions are also linked to IBD and colon cancer.