Salmonella typhimurium

Definition

Salmonella typhimurium is a gram-negative bacterium that causes gastroenteritis in humans. It is commonly used in research to study bacterial pathogenesis and host immune response.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Salmonella typhimurium can cause food poisoning, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
2. The bacterium uses type III secretion systems to inject effector proteins into host cells, manipulating host cell functions.
3. Mutations in Salmonella typhimurium can affect antibiotic resistance and virulence factors.
4. The immune system typically responds to Salmonella typhimurium through both innate and adaptive immune responses, including the activation of macrophages and T-cells.
5. Research often employs Salmonella typhimurium as a model organism for studying genetic mutations and their effects on microbial pathogenicity.

Review Questions

• What type of secretion system does Salmonella typhimurium use to manipulate host cells?
• How does the immune system respond to an infection by Salmonella typhimurium?
• Why is Salmonella typhimurium commonly used in research related to microbial genetics?

Related terms

Type III Secretion System:

A needle-like protein appendage found in several gram-negative bacteria used to inject effector proteins into host cells.

Macrophages:

A type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests cellular debris and pathogens.

Pathogenesis:

The process by which an infection leads to disease.