Thus, the objectives of this proposal include isolation of surface polysaccharides from S. enteritidis, conversion of these polysaccharides to an immunogenic form suitable for use as a vaccine, and evaluation of this potential vaccine with regard to prevention of infection and shedding of S. enteritidis in poultry.
In recent years, Salmonella enteritidis has become a major cause of food-borne illness in humans. Many food animals, including poultry, have been shown to carry this organism.
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Ingestion of contaminated poultry products is the major route of human infection. Development of an effective vaccine for poultry would reduce: 1) carriage by both broilers and layers; 2) contamination of poultry products (meat and eggs); and 3) subsequent development of human illness. Antibodies against bacterial surface polysaccharides have been shown to mediate protection against gram-negative bacteria such as, S. enteritidis.