A study has found that Salmonella uses gut bioelectricity to target and infect the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of the small intestine. Enteric bacteria like Salmonella spread through contaminated food and water, causing infections. The study showed that Salmonella targets FAE through galvanotaxis, while non-pathogenic E. coli have a different response to electrical fields. The presence of chloride flow near the FAE influences Salmonella localization, with the flagella playing a crucial role in the process. The findings suggest that bioelectric signals mediate the localization of Salmonella, which could have implications for understanding and treating intestinal bacterial infections in the future.
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Electric current in gut attracts pathogens like Salmonella
