Salmonella heterogeneously expresses flagellin during colonization of plants

Minimally processed or fresh fruits and vegetables are unfortunately linked to an increasing number of food-borne diseases, such as salmonellosis. One of the relevant virulence factors during the initial phases of the infection process is the bacterial flagellum. Although its function is well studied in animal systems, contradictory results have been published regarding its role during plant colonization. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Salmonella’s flagellin plays a versatile function during the colonization of tomato plants. We have assessed the persistence in plant tissues of a Salmonella enterica wild type strain, and of a strain lacking the two flagellins, FljB and FliC.The work carried out in the C.R.B. and J.R. laboratory has been granted by Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MCIU, Spain, RTI2018-095069-B-100) awarded to C.R.B. and J.R., and Proyectos de Excelencia (Junta de Andalucía; PY18-2398) awarded to C.B. This work was co-funded by Fondos Europeos de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). N.L. received funding for a short training mission (STSM) in the A.S. laboratory from CA 16110 HUPLANT from the EU Cost Action Program. We would like to thank DAAD for scholarship funding of A.A.Z.Peer reviewe