Characterization and Evaluation of a Salmonella enterica Serotype Senftenberg Mutant Created by Deletion of Virulence-Related Genes for Use as a Live Attenuated Vaccine
ABSTRACTNatural infections of chickens withSalmonella entericasubsp.entericaserovar Senftenberg (S.Senftenberg) are characterized by low-level intestinal invasiveness and insignificant production of antibodies. In this study, we investigated the potential effects oflonandcpxRgene deletions on the invasiveness ofS. Senftenberg into the intestinal epithelium of chickens and its ability to induce an immune response, conferring protection againstS. Senftenberg infection. With the allelic exchange method, we developed JOL1596 (Δlon), JOL1571 (ΔcpxR), and JOL1587 (ΔlonΔcpxR) deletion mutants from wild-typeS. Senftenberg. Deletion of thelongene fromS. Senftenberg produced increased frequency of elongated cells, with significantly greater amounts of exopolysaccharide (EPS) than in thecpxR-deleted strain and the wild-type strain. Thein vivointestinal loop invasion assay showed a significant increase in epithelial invasiveness for JOL1596 (Δlon) and JOL1587 (ΔlonΔcpxR), compared to JOL1571 (ΔcpxR) and the wild-type strain. Furthermore, theS. Senftenberg wild-type and mutant strains were internalized at high levels inside activated abdominal macrophages from chicken. Thein vivoinoculation of JOL1587 (ΔlonΔcpxR) into chickens led to colonization of the liver, spleen, and cecum for a short time. Chickens inoculated with JOL1587 (ΔlonΔcpxR) showed significant increases in humoral, mucosal, and cellular immune responses specific toS. Senftenberg antigens. Postchallenge, compared to the control group, the JOL1587 (ΔlonΔcpxR)-inoculated chickens showed not only lower persistence but also faster clearance of wild-typeS. Senftenberg from the cecum. We conclude that the increased intestinal invasiveness and colonization of internal organs exhibited by JOL1587 (ΔlonΔcpxR) led to the establishment of immunogenicity and conferred protective efficacy againstS. Senftenberg infections in chickens.