Establishment of Caenorhabditis elegans Model to Study Anti-infectives against Salmonella Typhimurium
2025
Memon, Shaheryar | Helsingin yliopisto, Maatalous-metsätieteellinen tiedekunta | University of Helsinki, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry | Helsingfors universitet, Agrikultur-forstvetenskapliga fakulteten
The high prevalence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as a foodborne pathogen associated with rising rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global health challenge. As the efficacy of conventional antibiotics declines, alternative and potentially synergistic treatment approaches are needed. This study explores the utility of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans for this field of research, establishing it as a model for studying S. Typhimurium infection and assessing the activity of therapeutic compounds. A GFP-expressing S. Typhimurium strain was used to establish an infection model and monitor bacterial colonization dynamics. Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, was employed to optimize treatment timing and to compare activity with plant extracts. Treatment with 50 µM azithromycin administered at 6 hours post-infection resulted in an 80% reduction in colony forming unit (CFU) per worm, demonstrating its in vivo efficacy at this early stage of infection. Total fluorescence intensity per worm decreased post treatment, indicating reduced bacterial load. Additionally, plant-based extracts, including those from Artemisia afra, were investigated for in vivo compatibility and potential antimicrobial properties. Although the extract did not show antimicrobial activity in vitro, it was non-toxic at 1 mg/mL and improved C. elegans survival. This suggests that the extract may influence host-pathogen interactions, warranting further investigation into possible mechanisms such as modulation of immune responses, interference with bacterial adhesion or invasion, or effects on virulence factor expression. Overall, this work demonstrates the utility of C. elegans for evaluating both direct antimicrobial activity and broader therapeutic effects on infection outcomes.
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