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Application of L actobacillus johnsonii expressing phage endolysin for control of C lostridium perfringens
Author(s) -
Gervasi T.,
Lo Curto R.,
Minniti E.,
Narbad A.,
Mayer M.J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/lam.12298
Subject(s) - clostridium perfringens , biology , lysin , microbiology and biotechnology , pathogen , clostridiaceae , lactobacillus , bacteriocin , clostridium , bacteria , lactobacillaceae , bacteriophage , escherichia coli , toxin , biochemistry , antimicrobial , gene , genetics
Clostridium perfringens is frequently found in food and the environment and produces potent toxins that have a negative impact on both human and animal health and particularly on the poultry industry. Lactobacillus johnsonii FI 9785, isolated from the chicken gastrointestinal tract, has been demonstrated to exclude Cl. perfringens in poultry. We have investigated the interaction of wild‐type Lact. johnsonii FI 9785 or an engineered strain expressing a cell wall‐hydrolysing endolysin with Cl. perfringens in vitro , using a batch culture designed to simulate human gastrointestinal tract conditions. Co‐culture experiments indicated that acid production by Lact. johnsonii is important in pathogen control. The co‐culture of the endolysin‐secreting Lact. johnsonii with Cl. perfringens showed that the engineered strain had the potential to control the pathogen, but the ability to reduce Cl. perfringens numbers was not consistent. Results obtained indicate that survival of high numbers of Lact. johnsonii will be essential for effective pathogen control. Significance and Impact of the Study The bacterium Lactobacillus johnsonii FI 9785 reduces numbers of the pathogen Clostridium perfringens in vitro . Biocontrol was improved by engineering the strain to produce and export a cell wall‐hydrolysing endolysin, but good survival of the producer strain is essential. The production of bacteriophage endolysins by commensal bacteria has the potential to improve competitive exclusion of pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract.