The effect of a coccidiosis vacine on the ability of the anaerobic cecal microflora (ACM) administered (treated birds) through different ways, to protect broiler chicks against Salmonella enteritidis (Se) colonization was studied. One hundred twenty broiler chicks were divided into six groups: for group A, ACM was given by spray after vaccination against coccidiosis and challenge with Se; for group B, ACM was given by intra-esophagus to coccidiosis vaccinated and Se challenged chicks; for group C, ACM given by drinking water to coccidiosis vaccinated and Se challenged chicks; for group D, chicks were not ACM treated, but coccidiosis vaccinated and Se challenged; for group E, chicks were not ACM treated, not vaccinated against coccidiosis but Se challenged and, for group F, not vaccinated, not challenged, and not treated chicks were used (negative control). The colonization of the digestive system and the presence of Se in feces were used as parameters, as well as body weight of the chicks, evaluated at two, seven and 12 days after challenge. Se count in feces and cecal colonization were reduced in ACM treated groups, mainly through spraying and by intra-esophagus routes, indicating that the actions of ACM against cecal colonization and fecal excretion of Se are not affected by the use of vaccine against coccidiosis in broiler chicks, and that the association ACM/coccidiosis vaccine can be used without reduction of the effectiveness of ACM. In the groups that did not receive ACM, vaccinated or not against coccidiosis, there was an increase of cecal colonization, as well as fecal excretion of Se. The cecum was the main site of colonization and persistence of Se. ACM given by spraying or intra-esophagus route reduced Se in the feces and cecum, as compared with chicks that received ACM by drinking water, although only this treatment has determined a significantly higher body weight than the not treated, not vaccinated but challenged group, probably indicating that the paratyphoids Salmonella may not interfere with broiler performance. No differences on body weight between not ACM treated, Se challenged and vaccinated or not groups were observed, suggesting that the vaccine did not influence the weight gain of the chicks challenged with Salmonela enteriditis.
Broiler; Salmonella enteritidis; anaerobic cecal microflora; competitive exclusion; vaccine coccidiosis
