Experiments on immunization of pigeons with a salmonella mineral-oil vaccine
Bechir, R.; Hinz, K.H.; Siegmann, O.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 86(4): 144-149
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 374028 Document Number: 144615
Two groups (A and B) of ten salmonella-free pigeons were vaccinated with a mineral oil vaccine (one part adjuvant and one part S. typhimurium var. Copenhagen suspended in water). Group A received heat-inactivated and Group B formaldehyde-inactivated salmonellae. Twenty unvaccinated birds (Group K) served as controls. The vaccination consisted of a s/c dose of 105 colony-forming units in 0.5 ml, followed by a dose of 1010 after three weeks. After a further four weeks all birds received a s/c challenge dose of 108 live bacteria of the same strain. Surviving pigeons were killed 26 days after this challenge and examined for salmonellae. In the control group all birds showed signs of severe salmonellosis, four died and chronic arthritis developed in four others. Three birds of Group A and four of Group B had slight diarrhoea and in two cases food intake was reduced. There were no other signs of disturbance and no inflammation of the joints. Cultural examination revealed salmonellae in one bird of Group A, four of Group B and in 12 of 16 of Group K. Vaccination with heat-inactivated salmonellae gave better protection than with formalized salmonellae.