Integrated OMICs approach reveals energy metabolism pathway is vital for <i>Salmonella</i> Pullorum survival within the egg white

Abstract

Pullorum disease, causing serious embryo death and chick mortality, results in substantial economic losses worldwide due to transovarial transmission. Egg-borne outbreaks are frequently reported in many countries. The present study has filled the knowledge gap regarding how the specific chicken-adapted pathogen <i>Salmonella</i> Pullorum behaves within the challenging environment of egg white. The deletion of the <i>fim</i> fimbrial system can increase survival in the albumen, possibly by reprogramming metabolism-related gene products, which reveals a new adaptive strategy of pathogens. Moreover, the comparison, including previous research on <i>Salmonella</i> Enteritidis, capable of vertical transmission, aims to provide diversified data sets in the field and further help to implement reasonable and effective measures to improve both food safety and animal health.