Meeting Abstract
Salmonella is a generalist pathogen prominently found in various taxa including reptiles, birds, and mammals. While mammals and birds face severe symptoms from Salmonella infection, reptiles are typically able to tolerate the colonization with no associated disease. Further, despite the lack of symptoms, reptiles are still able to transfer the infection to other organisms. Recent studies in turtles suggest that natural antibodies (NAbs) play a role in parasite defense; however, it is unknown the role NAbs may play in Salmonella infection and tolerance in reptiles. Plasma and mucosal samples were taken from red-eared slider turtles. We measured levels and avidity of antibodies that bound to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of Salmonella cell wall. We examined the relationship between these measures and the ability of plasma to kill Salmonella as well as infection status. Higher mucosal antibody levels to LPS were significantly associated with a decrease in likelihood of infection with Salmonella; however, plasma antibody levels were not. Killing capacity of the plasma was significantly related to plasma antibody levels to LPS, but not mucosal antibody levels. Avidity was not significantly related to either killing capacity or likelihood of infection. Our results add further evidence that turtles use a general, nonspecific NAb response to combat pathogens.
