Effects of nonimmunized egg yolk powder-supplemented feed on Salmonella Enteritidis prevention and elimination in broilers

Chicken consumption is a newly identified risk factor in Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) infection in humans. SE is widely distributed in commercial chicken flocks and high levels of cecal carriage and shedding may lead to broiler meat contamination. In the present study, the preventive and eliminative effect of nonimmunized freeze-dried egg yolk powder (EYP) on SE in broilers was investigated. In the prevention trial, reduced SE counts were observed in liver (P <= 0.05), cecal contents, and fecal shedding (P <= 0.05) in birds fed 10% or 5% EYP. Histological examination of cecal wall and cecal tonsils at 23 days postinfection indicated a lesser degree of intestinal pathology. In the elimination trial, a significantly lower (P < 0.05) number of SE reached the liver and spleen, and a reduction in cecal carriage and fecal shedding was observed. The histological changes in the cecal mucosa and cecal tonsils reflected an apparent inflammation and mucosal repair and also suggested that the infection had not completely resolved, confirming SE bacterial isolations in the cecal tissue. The present study indicates that supplementing the diets of broilers with 5% nonimmunized EYP, at the early stages of the growing period, reduces preharvest Salmonella load with a minimal degree of intestinal pathology.