Phage mediated horizontal transfer of the sopE1 gene increases enteropathogenicity of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium for calves.

Epidemiological evidence shows that the sopE1 gene is associated with Salmonella Typhimurium phage types causing epidemics in cattle. In this study we demonstrate that horizontal transfer of the sopE1 gene by lysogenic conversion with the SopEphi increased enteropathogenicity of S. Typhimurium in the bovine ligated ileal loop model. These data support the hypothesis that phage mediated horizontal transfer of the sopE1 gene contributes to the emergence of epidemic cattle-associated S. Typhimurium clones. Copyright 2002 Federation of European Microbiological Societies