Aim: The study was conducted to investigate some plasma biochemical changes in

layers experimentally infected with Salmonella Gallinarum

Methods: A total of 20 eighteen-week- old ISA Brown layers were used in the experiment. The birds were randomly divided into two groups; infected and control, of 10 birds each. Each bird in the infected group was orally administered 0.5 ml of the inoculum containing 9x108CFU/ml. Similarly, birds in the control group were each administered 0.5 ml normal saline only. All the experimental birds were closely monitored for clinical signs of fowl typhoid. Blood samples were collected from each group at day zero (Day 0), 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42, post-infection and used for determination of plasma biochemical parameters.

Results: By day seven post infection, all birds in the infected group showed clinical signs typical of fowl typhoid; weakness, ruffled feathers, huddling together, somnolence, greenish-yellow diarrhea, weight loss, drop in egg production, decrease in feed and water consumption and mortality rate (50%). There were, however, marked increase in the plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase,  alkaline  phosphatase  and  the  level  of  urea  and  significant

hypoprotinemia.

Conclusion: The experimental Salmonella Gallinarum infection induced alteration in the liver and kidney functions.

 

Key Words: Salmonella Gallinarum, Typhoid, ISA brown layers.