The “Friends” That Help Dangerous Bacteria Get Into Your Salad

Abstract

Salmonella enterica is a type of bacteria that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in humans. Normally, Salmonella dies when it is on the surface of healthy plant leaves. However, Salmonella has “friends” on plants that can help it survive. Plant-eating insects and phytobacteria that cause plant diseases can help Salmonella reach new places and access new food sources. Plant-eating insects can move Salmonella from one plant to another and provide Salmonella with valuable nutrients through their poop. Phytobacteria can cause sicken leaves, creating an environment that helps Salmonella enter the leaf and access protection. Both plant-eating insects and phytobacteria can cause leaves to release nutrients that can nourish dangerous bacteria like Salmonella. Together, the combination of Salmonella and insects or phytobacteria on crops may create the perfect recipe for contaminated produce that leads to disease in humans when they eat their healthy fruit or veggies.