A Glimpse at the Anti-Phage Defenses Landscape in the Foodborne Pathogen <i>Salmonella enterica</i> subsp. <i>enterica</i> serovar Typhimurium

oleh: Cedric Woudstra, Sophie A. Granier

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-01-01

Deskripsi

Bacteriophages, which specifically infect and kill bacteria, are currently used as additives to control pathogens such as <i>Salmonella</i> in human food (PhageGuard S<sup>®</sup>) or animal feed (SalmoFREE<sup>®</sup>, Bafasal<sup>®</sup>). Indeed, salmonellosis is among the most important zoonotic foodborne illnesses. The presence of anti-phage defenses protecting bacteria against phage infection could impair phage applications aiming at reducing the burden of foodborne pathogens such as <i>Salmonella enterica</i> subsp. <i>enterica</i> serovar Typhimurium (<i>S</i>. Typhimurium) to the food industry. In this study, the landscape of <i>S</i>. Typhimurium anti-phage defenses was bioinformatically investigated in publicly available genomes using the webserver PADLOC. The primary anti-phage systems identified in <i>S</i>. Typhimurium use nucleic acid degradation and abortive infection mechanisms. Reference systems were identified on an integrative and conjugative element, a transposon, a putative integrative and mobilizable element, and prophages. Additionally, the mobile genetic elements (MGEs) containing a subset of anti-phage systems were found in the <i>Salmonella enterica</i> species. Lastly, the MGEs alone were also identified in the <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> family. The presented diversity assessment of the anti-phage defenses and investigation of their dissemination through MGEs in <i>S</i>. Typhimurium constitute a first step towards the design of preventive measures against the spread of phage resistance that may hinder phage applications.