Open AccessFaecal shedding and intestinal colonization of Salmonella enterica in in-bred chickens: the effect of host-genetic background
Author(s) -
Paul Barrow,
Nat Bumstead,
Kerrie L. Marston,
M. A. Lovell,
Paul Wigley
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
epidemiology and infection
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.992
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1469-4409
pISSN - 0950-2688
DOI - 10.1017/s0950268803001274
Subject(s) - biology , salmonella , salmonella enterica , inoculation , microbiology and biotechnology , serotype , colonization , feces , enterobacteriaceae , bacteria , veterinary medicine , gene , escherichia coli , immunology , genetics , medicine
Considerable and reproducible differences were observed in the amount and duration of faecal excretion when in-bred lines of chickens were infected orally with S. enterica serovar Typhimurium at 6 weeks of age after being given a gut flora preparation when newly hatched. Similar but less pronounced results were observed with S. Enteritidis or S. Infantis. Differences in the viable numbers of the inoculated bacteria in caecal contents were detectable within 24 h of inoculation. No major differences were seen in Salmonella-specific serum IgA or IgG titres. Small differences were seen in the numbers of circulating heterophilic cells. Caecal contents taken from the more resistant lines immediately prior to challenge appeared to be no more inhibitory for Salmonella in vivo than contents taken from susceptible lines. The more resistant lines showed a slightly higher rate of intestinal flow, as indicated by the rate of production of faecal droppings, although there was no difference in the rate of emptying of the caeca. In an F1 generation resistance was dominant and not sex-linked. There was no MHC linkage or any association with SAL1, the gene implicated in resistance to systemic salmonellosis in chickens, or NRAMP1.