Humoral Activity of Autogenous Bacterin Against Colonization of Internal Organs of Broiler Chicks by Salmonella enterica serovar

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the humoral activity of locally prepared autogenous bacterin against Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum isolated from chicken feeds in broiler chicks. A total of forty (40) representative chicken feed samples were randomly collected and screened for the presence of Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum using pour plate technique. The isolate obtained was characterized and identified using the colonial descriptions, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The pathogenic potentials of the isolate on the broiler chicks were investigated by challenging the chicks orally using 0.5ml of the inoculum (10⁸cells/ml). The protective effect of locally prepared autogenous bacterin from Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum was investigated using in vivo method. The titer of antibodies produced by the vaccinated chicks was determined using micro-agglutination test. Out of 40 representative chicken feed samples, 21 (52.5%) were positive for Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum. There were significant obvious pathological signs and lesions in the internal organs of the infected non-protected chicks, which decreased significantly (p<0.05) when protected with autogenous bacterin. Significant viable mean plate counts were obtained from the internal organs of the infected non-protected chicks which significantly (P<0.05) decreased when protected with autogenous bacterin. The serological investigation revealed an improvement in the titer of antibodies after vaccination treatment. The in vivo activity showed that the locally prepared autogenous bacterin was effective in reducing the pathological changes observed from infected non-protected chicks. Thus this study showed that a dose of locally prepared autogenous bacterin is effective and safe method of preventing Salmonella enteric serovar Gallinarum infection in broiler chicks.