Reduction of Salmonella Enteritidis Colonization in Production Layers Fed High Levels of Mannan and Beta-glucan

Background and Objective: To combat the persistence of Salmonella in poultry products, intervention strategies that have efficacy in the digestive tract of birds are needed as part of a comprehensive food safety plan.A study was commissioned to evaluate the ability of a high mannan and $-glucan yeast fraction to prevent Salmonella Enteritidis colonization in laying hens. Material and Methods:Twenty-four Hy-Line pullets were placed in individual cages and at 17 weeks of age all 24 pullets were challenged orally with 7×10 7 CFU/bird of Salmonella Enteritidis.At 18 weeks of age, all ceca and ovaries were aseptically removed and cultured for Salmonella Enteritidis prevalence and number by the most probable number (MPN) method.Results: There was a numerical reduction of cecal Salmonella Enteritidis prevalence that was significant at p = 0.089 (16.7% positive) in the yeast fraction group versus the untreated control (58.3%).Conclusions: Reduction in the ceca of hens is an important result indicating this yeast cell wall can impact levels of Salmonella Enteritidis shed to the environment and thus reduce the potential of Salmonella Enteritidis contamination of the eggshell.