Phosphate Transporter PstSCAB of Campylobacter jejuni Is a Critical Determinant of Lactate-Dependent Growth and Colonization in Chickens

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni causes millions of human gastrointestinal infections annually, with poultry a major source of infection. Due to the emergence of multidrug resistance in C. jejuni , there is need to identify alternative ways to control this pathogen. Genes encoding the high-affinity phosphate transporter PstSCAB are highly expressed by C. jejuni in chickens and humans. In this study, we address the role of PstSCAB on chicken colonization and other C. jejuni phenotypes. PstSCAB is required for colonization in chicken, metabolism and survival under different stress responses, and during growth on lactate, a potential growth substrate in chickens. Our study highlights that PstSCAB may be an effective target to develop mechanisms for controlling bacterial burden in both chicken and human.