SALMONELLA-TYPHIMURIUM AND SALMONELLA-ENTERITIDIS INDUCE GUT GROWTH AND INCREASE THE POLYAMINE CONTENT OF THE RAT SMALL-INTESTINE IN-VIVO

The effects of infection by Salmonella enteritidis and S. typhimurium on the small and large intestines, liver, spleen and mesenteric nodule s of rats were studied in vivo. Both Salmonella serotypes persisted an d proliferated in the gastrointestinal tract and invaded sub-epithelia l tissues, mainly the ileum, leading to the systemic distribution of t hese pathogens. Coincidental with the infection, the rate of crypt cel l proliferation increased resulting in substantial growth of the small intestine. The extent of this and the accompanying accumulation of po lyamines was particularly dramatic in the ileum where there was also s ome disruption of the villus epithelium. It is possible that these eff ects of the infection on the metabolism and morphology of the small bo wel, which strongly resembled the changes induced by some plant lectin s, may facilitate the colonisation and invasion of the gut by Salmonel lae.