Effects of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis vaccination in layer hens subjected to S. Enteritidis challenge and various feed withdrawal regimens

Levels of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis infection and serum S. Enteritidis antibodies after experimental S. Enteritidis challenge and feed withdrawal were investigated in S. Enteritidis-vaccinated and unvaccinated hens. The results were used to determine whether formalin-inactivated S. Enteritidis vaccination can protect layer hens from S. Enteritidis challenge during feed withdrawal periods. S. Enteritidis infection rates were evaluated from cloacal swabs, eggs and organs. Serum antibody titers to deflagellated S. Enteritidis whole cells (DEWC) and S. Enteritidis FliC-specific 9-kDa polypeptide (SEp 9) were examined by commercial ELISA kits. Cloacal S. Enteritidis recovery rates were lower in the vaccinated than unvaccinated group. Recovery rates of S. Enteritidis from samples increased after feed withdrawal and decreased after re-introduction of feed. S. Enteritidis counts in cloacal swabs were lower in the vaccinated than in the unvaccinated group (P < 0.05). More S. Enteritidis-positive eggs were detected from the unvaccinated group. Before S. Enteritidis challenge, the DEWC ELISA titer of the vaccinated group was higher (P < 0.05) than the unvaccinated group; subsequently, the S. Enteritidis DEWC ELISA titers of both groups increased gradually. In contrast, only the vaccinated group elicited high SEp-9 antibody titer during post-challenge and feed withdrawal. Additionally, vaccinated hens yielded negative S. Enteritidis isolation rates from egg contents. There is a correlation between negative S. Enteritidis isolation rates and high SEp 9 titers in vaccinated layer hens challenged with S. Enteritidis and subjected to feed withdrawal regimens. These findings suggest the S. Enteritidis vaccination of pullets may protect against S. Enteritidis infection during forced molting and that SEp 9 titer could be a potential indicator of antibody protection against S. Enteritidis infection. The potential of the SEp 9 peptide as an antigen for S. Enteritidis vaccination in the future is worth noting.