RESUMEN
Development of a single effective vaccine against non-typhoidal salmonellosis is very challenging due to the presence of hundreds of serovars of Salmonella which are antigenically different from each other. The Salmonella enterotoxin (Stn), a common virulence factor occurring amongst a wide range of serovars, used as a formalized toxoid vaccine has been found to be effective against homologous and heterologous serovars. However, the process of formalization has its own drawbacks. Gamma radiation (γ) on the other hand is widely used as a safe and convenient method of sterilization worldwide. In this experiment we used gamma rays to inactivate the partially purified Stn of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (DT 193). The toxoid obtained was tested for its immunogenicity and loss of toxicity and then used to formulate a gamma irradiated toxoid vaccine (ITST). The efficacy of the developed ITST was tested in Kuroiler, a Broiler breed, against homologous and heterologous challenges (S. Typhimurium and S. Gallinarum) administered intra-peritoneally and orally. Birds in groups challenged with S. Typhimurium by both routes recorded protective indices (PI) of 100% while birds in groups challenged intra-peritoneally with S. Gallinarum recorded PI of 83.33% and those challenged orally scored 100%. The overall protective index (PI) being 95.83%. The antibody titres calculated as geometric mean with standard error at 1:10(-4) dilutions showed a steep rise after the first dose and peaked at week 6 post primary vaccinations. Thus the ITST was found very effective in protecting poultry against both the challenge organisms tested.