Infection model for hatching chicks infected with Salmonella enteritidis

A total of six different strains of Salmonella enteritidis (phage type 4) were used for the artificial infection of the egg yolk and albumen of SPF hatching eggs. An artificial yolk infection with low infection doses of S. enteritidis resulted in a considerable multiplication of salmonellas in the egg after a short time and a rapid embryonic death. After inoculation of 10(3) cfu of different S. enteritidis strains into the albumen, living day-old chicks infected with salmonellas were hatched. This model corresponds to a primary vertical transmission of salmonellas and permits the investigation of problems concerning the pathogen/host relationship.