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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fayetteville, Arkansas » Poultry Production and Product Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #369364
Research Project: Antibiotic Alternatives for Controlling Foodborne Pathogens and Disease in Poultry

Location: Poultry Production and Product Safety Research

Title: Changes in growth and motility of Campylobacter jejuni in response to serotonin

Author
item Lyte, Joshua - Josh
item SHRESTHA, SANDIP - University Of Arkansas
item LYTE, MARK - Iowa State University
item Donoghue, Ann - Annie

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/17/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Aim: Campylobacter is a leading cause of foodborne illness and strongly linked with the consumption of contaminated poultry products. Neuroendocrine crosstalk between host and microbe may play a critical role in enteric colonization/infection. We sought to identify how serotonin, a neurotransmitter synthesized in the intestinal tract, may affect C. jejuni growth and motility. Method: Wild-type C. jejuni strains isolated from broiler chickens were inoculated into a defined media (CO2-independent) with/without serotonin up to 48h at 42oC in aerobic atmosphere. Bacterial growth was determined by culturing on Campylobacter-Line-Agar plates in microaerophilic atmosphere. Wildtype strain S-8 was selected to assess a dose-response relationship between bacterial inoculum size and serotonin concentration. To determine a dose-response effect of serotonin (0.0005M, 0.005M, 0.05M) on C. jejuni motility, mid-log cultures of S-8 were stab-inoculated in the center of motility medium petri plates that did or did not contain serotonin. Inoculated motility plates were incubated at 42oC for 48h in a microaerophilic environment, the zone of motility was then measured. Results: Examination of dose-response effect of serotonin on growth demonstrated that C. jejuni growth increased in response to the lowest but strongly inhibited at the highest concentration. Despite effects on growth, serotonin did not affect motility at any concentration. Conclusion: Data demonstrate that the neurotransmitter serotonin can influence C. jejuni growth, but not motility, in a dose-dependent manner. As serotonin production increases in the gut during times of stress, it is important to understand how changing concentrations of serotonin may alter growth and motility of C. jejuni.