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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

high adherence genes, pHA-28, bacterial pathogenesis, Escherichia coli

College

Life Sciences

Department

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Abstract

Bacterial high adherence is an important of research because of its effect on bacterial pathogenesis and intestinal colonization. In the laboratory of Dr. Ronald Leavitt, we have been studying the ability of certain bacteria to prevent the colonization of intestinal epithelial cells by other bacteria. Of particular interest to us are non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strains that have the ability to out compete and overrun colonies of Salmonella, as well as the colonies of the pathogenic E. coli strains that cause the turkey disease colibacillosis. Such E. coli have the potential to be used as an interfering agent against Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli strains found in turkeys. Currently, high amounts of antibiotics are used to limit and control Salmonella, which is not particularly pathogenic to turkeys, and the population of virulent E. coli strains. The use of antibiotics in the turkey feed could be greatly reduced through the use of an interfering agent for bacterial control.

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Microbiology Commons

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