title: Application of Lactobacillus johnsonii expressing phage endolysin for control of Clostridium perfringens.
abstract: 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 FI9785, 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 FI9785 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 FI9785 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.
authors: Gut Health and Food Safety Programme, Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK; Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente, della Sicurezza, del Territorio, degli Alimenti e della Salute (S.A.S.T.A.S.), University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Gervasi
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Lo Curto
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Minniti
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Narbad
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Mayer
mesh_terms: D001433:Bacteriolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D061046:Biological Control Agents; D003016:Clostridium perfringens; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D061046:Biological Control Agents; D014764:Viral Proteins; D010450:Endopeptidases; C001143:endolysin
keywords: Clostridium perfringens; Lactobacillus; antimicrobials; endolysin; food safety