THE EFFECTS OF INDUCED MOLTING ON THE SEVERITY OF ACUTE INTESTINAL INFLAMMATION CAUSED BY SALMONELLA-ENTERITIDIS

This study describes and compares early inflammation caused by Salmone lla enteritidis in molted and nonmolted hens. Adult white leghorn chic kens were orally infected with Salmonella enteritidis 4 days after fee d removal. At 2, 4, 8, 10, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr after infection, the hens were euthanatized, and the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and c olon were evaluated by light microscopy. Two trials were conducted, an d in both trials inflammation occurred more frequently and was signifi cantly greater in the cecum and colon of molt ed-infected hens compare d with nonmolted-infected hens beginning at 8 hr after infection. In o ne trial, inflammation was more severe in the ileum of molted-infected hens compared with nonmolted-infected hens. Results indicated that mo lting by feed deprivation shortened the time of onset and increased th e severity of acute intestinal inflammation caused by Salmonella enter itidis.