Control of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 experimental infection by fosfomycin in newly hatched chicks

One hundred and twenty 1-day-old broiler chickens were divided into four gr oups: group I unmedicated and orally challenged with 1.5 x 10(8) cfu of Sal monella enteritidis phage type 4; group F infected and treated with 300 ppm of fosfomycin in their drinking water; group CF uninfected and treated, an d group C maintained as a control group. Their performance, clinical signs, S. enteritidis PT4 reisolation and biochemistry variables were compared. G roup F showed fewer symptoms and gross lesions than those from group I. Fos fomycin treatment at 300 ppm improved body weight at 7 days of age by 42.3% . S. enteritidis PT4 reisolation in group I was higher than in the treated group, but total decontamination of challenged birds was not achieved. Ther e was an increase in the levels of total protein and globulins in group I b ut not in the treated group. Fosfomycin caused no adverse effects on chicke ns from group CF, assessed by performance and biochemical variables. The re sults indicate that fosfomycin could be used in the treatment of S. enterit idis PT4 experimental infection. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.