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An Investigation of the Effect of Protozoan Engulfment of Verotoxigenic, Necrotoxigenic Escherichia Coli and Campylobacter Jejuni on their Subsequent Resistance to Food Processing Operations

Objective

The objectives are firstly to determine if there is variation in the susceptibility of pathogenic strains of E. coli and Campylobacter spp. to engulfment and identify the determinants which contribute to that susceptibility. Secondly to determine the physiological changes engulfment has on this group of bacteria. Thirdly to determine the extent to which such engulfment induces the cross-protection phenomenon as reflected in their subsequent growth kinetics

<UL> <LI> Determine the extent to which verotoxigenic, necrotoxigenic strains of E. coli and Campylobacter spp. are engulfed by protozoa.
<LI> Determine the effect of engulfment on the physiology of pathogenic E. coli and Campylobacter spp. This would involve the use of rpoS mutants.
<LI> Determine the extent to which residence within protozoa induces the cross-protection response.
<LI> Using antibiotics directed at translation and transcription mechanisms determine the extent to which de novo protein synthesis contributes to cross-protection.

Institution
Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)
Start date
2004
End date
2006
Project number
DARD 0260