Acrobeloides buetschlii as a potential vector for enteric pathogens

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess ifAcrobeloides buetschlii, an opportunistic species common across many soils, can be employed as a suitable model for interactions between free-living soil nematodes and enteric human pathogens.Acrobeloides buetschliiwas exposed to mCherry-taggedSalmonella entericaandEscherichia coliO157:H7 and its vector potential was assessed.Salmonellacells were more readily ingested by the nematodes compared toE. coliO157:H7. Adult nematodes ingested more bacteria compared to juveniles.Salmonellasurvived internally for at least 7 days without affecting the viability of nematodes. Bacterial ingestion byA. buetschliidid not vary for three testedSalmonellaserovars but was significantly lower forE. coliO157:H7. Considering the ubiquitous nature of pathogen and vector, these findings suggest thatA. buetschliican serve as a relevant model for studying nematode-Salmonellainteractions in an agricultural setting and as potential transport for food-borne pathogens from soil to crops.