Student Name: Noor Ul Ain
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Supervisor Name: Dr. Muhammad Suleman
DVM. (Gold Medalist), M.Phil. MS. (France), PhD. (France), Post Doc (France), Post Doc (Canada), AFHEA (UK).
Assistant Professor,
Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore
Introduction:
Noor Ul Ain is a passionate microbiologist with a BS. and MPhil in Microbiology from Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. Her research centers on flow cytometric analysis under the exceptional supervision of Dr. Muhammad Suleman, whose guidance and mentorship have greatly shaped her scientific vision. Together, they have contributed valuable insights to the field of poultry health, advancing understanding through their impactful research. With strong expertise in cell-based assays, immunological studies, and microbiological techniques, Noor Ul Ain continues to excel in research and academia. Her remarkable presentation skills and scientific insight were recently recognized at the International Poultry Science Conference IPEX, where she was honored as the Runner-Up Best Presenter award, marking a proud milestone in her growing journey as a young scientist dedicated to innovation and excellence.
Abstract Presented
Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum (SG) is a host-restricted pathogen that causes fowl typhoid, a severe disease leading to substantial economic losses and animal welfare concerns in global poultry production. A critical gap exists in understanding the specific cellular mechanisms SG employs to subvert the avian immune response. This study investigated the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of SG on chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to delineate the pathways of immune evasion. We utilized multiparameter flow cytometry to quantitatively assess key indicators of cellular health and function: overall cell death via propidium iodide exclusion, mitochondrial membrane integrity (MMI) using Rhodamine 123 fluorescence, and cell cycle progression dynamics via acridine orange staining. Our results demonstrate that SG infection triggers profound and statistically significant dysfunction in avian PBMCs. We observed a 5-fold increase (p < 0.001) in cell death, a severe 3.5-fold decrease (p < 0.0001) in MMI indicating mitochondrial damage, and a significant arrest (p < 0.0001) in the S-phase of the cell cycle. These findings collectively indicate that SG actively compromises cellular immune functionality by inducing rapid death, metabolic disruption, and proliferative paralysis in key immune cells. This research provides crucial, mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of fowl typhoid, highlighting the pivotal role of innate immune evasion. The identified pathways offer a foundational platform for developing novel immunomodulatory interventions and effective vaccine strategies designed to enhance cellular immunity against SG.
Keywords: Salmonella Gallinarum; flow cytometry; host-pathogen interaction; poultry health