[Model for experimental efficacy testing of control measures against Salmonella infections in poultry]

An infection model is shown for testing the efficacy of prophylactic and therapeutic measures against S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis infections of chickens at different ages. By detecting viable counts in caecum and liver or spleen respectively at weekly intervals after administration of salmonellas (crop instillation) the course of salmonella infection can be grasped. Oral application of the salmonella strains used (S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis) to 1-day-old chickens at a dose of 10(2) cfu/bird, to 8-days-old chickens at a dose of 10(9) cfu/bird and to 5-weeks-old chickens at a dose of 10(10) cfu/bird resulted in a characteristic course of infection but not in clinical symptoms or death. By detecting viable counts of the challenge strain in the organs testing the efficacy of a preceding immunization is possible.