Host response was evaluated following the administration of various treatme
nts, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and vaccination, to reduce Salmonella
in swine. Response to the treatments were studied by the evaluation of phag
ocytosis rates by flow cytometry, by studying the activation of whole-blood
phagocytes by bioluminescence, the production of IgA against S. Typhimuriu
m, and by histopathology. Significant differences were observed in the acti
vation of whole-blood phagocytes in all groups of treated pigs (P = 0.0001)
. In SC54 vaccinated pigs, a significant reduction of Salmonella in the ile
um was observed (P < 0.05) and the production of IgA against S. Typhimurium
was higher in this group in comparison to uninfected control pigs (P = 0.0
007). Furthermore, significant histopathological (P < 0.05) changes were ob
served in SC54 vaccinated Figs. Villus height and mucus and goblet cells de
nsity in the small intestine were reduced in vaccinated pigs in comparison
to infected control pigs. Taken together, these findings suggest that SC54
vaccine can stimulate local immunity and reduce the presence of Salmonella
in the ileum in swine. Use of SC54 vaccine should thus be considered in fur
ther field experiments.