Campylobacter produces a biofilm in response to pancreatic amylase

What is it about?

This publication shows that the bacterium, Campylobacter jejuni, a very common cause of food poisoning, is able to detect when it is inside its host by recognising the host digestive enzyme, pancreatic amylase. This is the first time that pancreatic amylase has been shown to work as a signal for bacteria. In response to the presence of pancreatic amylase, Campylobacter secretes a polysaccharide (a long chain of sugars) that allows it to stick inside the intestine of the host and then cause diarrhoea.

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Why is it important?

Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of food poisoning. The bacterium lives naturally in the intestines of chickens but does not cause diarrhoea in this host. It only causes diarrhoea when it infects humans. One of the most important sources of human infection is consuming undercooked chicken and if we can reduce the levels of Campylobacter in chickens reared for food, we might be able to reduce the risk of human disease. Our publication shows that Campylobacter is producing a polysaccharide (a long chain of sugars) inside the chicken that helps it to stick. If we can add something to chicken feed that prevents Campylobacter from producing this polysaccharide or degrades it, we might be able to prevent Campylobacter from growing in chickens

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