Fate of Listeria monocytogenes in orally dosed chicks

The fate of Listeria monocytogenes in chicks perorally dosed with these bacteria at 2 days of age was determined by bacterial enumeration, immunoperoxidase staining and histological examination of the liver, muscle and gastrointestinal tract. Results revealed listerial egress from the digestive tract and elimination of the organism from the body in most of the chicks within 9 days post-inoculation. L. monocytogenes was isolated from the caecum of only one of 10 chicks examined at 4 weeks post-inoculation. Results indicate that chickens are not likely to be common reservoirs of L. monocytogenes. Intestinal carriage of L. monocytogenes by poultry may frequently be transient, resulting from ingestion of Listeria-contaminated feed and soil.