Pathogenesis of enteric Salmonella infections

Purpose of review Gastrointestinal disease caused by Salmonella species leads to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The use of various animal models has greatly advanced understanding of Salmonella pathogenesis at intestinal and systemic sites. This review will emphasize recent advances in the understanding of intestinal Salmonella infections. Recent findings Recent research has focused on bacterial products and the host pathogen recognition receptors involved in the activation of immune pathways. In particular, activation of Toll-like receptor 5 and lpaf by Salmonella flagellin has been a major finding The discovery. of cryptopatches as novel lymphoid follicles and the characterization of intestinal dendritic cell populations have been examined in the context of Salmonella infections. The development and use of the streptomycin pretreated mouse model of enterocolitis has allowed researchers to probe the host factors contributing to intestinal immunopathology. Furthermore, the analysis of microbiota in Salmonella infections has provided new insights regarding the role of inflammation in gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, the contributions of specific Salmonella type 3-secreted effectors to the establishment and modulation of inflammation have been further refined. Summary New advances in animal models have allowed researchers to further define the contribution of specific bacterial and host factors involved in Salmonella-induced enterocolitis.