Influence of Neuroendocrine Stress Hormones on the Carriage and Virulence of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in Farm Animals

The potential for host and foodborne neurochemicals to alter the outcome of bacterial infections has far reaching implications for animal welfare and public health and merits urgent investigation. We propose to: <OL> <LI> Quantify the effect of NE and tyramine on E.coli O157:H7- and S.typhimurium- induced enteritis, adherence and invasion in target food- producing animals; <LI>Assess whether adrenergic receptor antagonists reduce EHEC- and S.typhimurium-induced enteritis and colonisation; <LI>Assess the relative importance of hormone/antagonists signalling to the pathogen and to host cells in these events;<LI>Identify NE- and tyramine- responsive genes of E.coli O157:H7 and S.typhimurium; <LI>Identify bacterial genes involved in hormone sensing and signal transduction.