Till Strowig both from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig investigated the mechanisms by which the microbiome counters a salmonella infection.

Among other findings they discovered that bacteria of the Klebsiella oxytoca species in particular exert pressure on salmonella in several ways. Eventually these findings could one day be used to develop a therapy that takes a completely different approach to the currently known treatments for infections Instead of using antibiotics which weaken the important microbiome as a side effect the microbiome could be specifically strengthened to enhance resistance against salmonella. 

When a person ingests food a battle for nutrients begins in the intestine. Various bacteria within the microbiome begin to break down the food and extract nutrients for themselves. In doing so they not only compete among themselves but also with dangerous intruders such as salmonella or enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). Certain bacteria within the microbiome appear to be particularly effective against salmonella as an international team led by Lisa Osbelt-Block and Till Strowig from the HZI department Microbial Immune Regulation has now discovered. These bacteria belong to the Klebsiella oxytoca species complex and employ multiple strategies against salmonella offering potential for novel therapeutic approaches. These principles may also be applicable to the treatment of other infectious diseases.

Bacteria within the microbiome compete with salmonella for nutrients

The specific mechanisms how Klebsiella oxytoca affects salmonella can now be read in the renowned journal Nature Microbiology. This research effort represents an international collaboration involving not only the HZI but also scientists from the University of Graz in Austria the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) in Braunschweig and Hannover. The study was financially supported by the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESF) the Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR) and the Austrian Science Fund among others.

A toxin previously classified as exclusively harmful can keep salmonella in check

A large proportion of Klebsiella oxytoca strains have the ability to secrete a toxin which is known to be harmful to the human gut. Surprisingly the research team has now discovered that the Klebsiella oxytoca toxin also exhibits efficacy against salmonella. 

Source: https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en/media-center/newsroom/news-detail/how-members-of-the-microbiome-specifically-fight-salmonella-infections/