IN-VITRO ATTACHMENT OF SALMONELLA-TYPHIMURIUM TO CHICKEN CECAL MUCUS - EFFECT OF CATIONS AND PRETREATMENT WITH LACTOBACILLUS SPP. ISOLATED FROM THE INTESTINAL TRACTS OF CHICKENS

The attachment of radiolabeled Salmonella typhimurium 3333/O cells to immobilized cecal mucus from specific-pathogen-free leghorn chickens w as determined in the presence of D-mannose. The attachment of S. typhi murium was inhibited by the chelating agents EDTA and citrate and by l anthanum but was enhanced in the presence of the calcium, barium, and manganese divalent cations. Summary findings of the effect of lectins are included. Attachment of lactobacilli, previously isolated from the intestines of chickens, to mucus was also enhanced by calcium and inh ibited by chelators. The pretreatment of immobilized mucus with portio ns of cultures of five of eight strains of lactobacilli inhibited subs equent attachment of the S. typhimurium strain. Spent culture supernat ant fluid and/or washed cells from these cultures inhibited attachment , and inhibition was enhanced by preheating the cells or supernatant f luid at 80 degrees C. Results indicate that S. typhimurium mucus attac hment not involving mannosyl-dependent receptors is influenced by pres ence of cations. Lactobacillus spp. isolated from the intestinal tract s of chickens produce cellular and cell-free components that inhibit t his form of attachment to chicken intestinal mucus.