Modulation of Salmonella infection by the lectins of Canavalia ensiformis (Con A) and Galanthus nivalis (GNA) in a rat model in vivo

The plant lectins, Concanavalin A (Con A) and Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) have been prefed to rats for 3 d pre- and 6 d postinfection with Salm onella typhimurium S986 or Salm. enteritidis 857. Con A significantly incre ased numbers of Salm. typhimurium S986 in the large intestine and in faeces , and severely impaired growth of the rats, more severely than is the case of infection with Salmonella typhimurium alone. Con A had much less effect on rats infected with Salm. enteritidis 857 only showing a significant incr ease in numbers in the colon, accompanied by intermittent increases of Salm onella in the faeces during the study. GNA significantly reduced pathogen n umbers in the lower part of the small bowel and the large intestine of rats infected with Salm. typhimurium S986 and significantly improved rat growth . GNA had little effect on infection by Salm. enteritidis 857 with slight d ecreases in Salmonella numbers in the small intestine and large intestine a nd transient increases in the faeces.