Evaluation of therapeutic potential of phages and microencapsulated phages against Salmonella in poultry

In the present study, in vivo trials were performed on seven days old broiler chicks and one month old broiler birds using phages and microencapsulated phages to evaluate their therapeutic potential. In both the trial chicks and birds were administered 8.84 log₁₀ CFU of Salmonella Enteritidis orally and then 9.54 log₁₀ PFU phages or 9.47 log₁₀ PFU microencapsulated phages were administered orally or intramuscularly. The chicks were sacrificed 48 h post infection and liver, spleen and caecum were collected and examined for bacterial and phage enumeration. On the basis of enumeration it was observed that intramuscular route of administration of bacteriophages reduced Salmonella considerably. In the second trial on birds it revealed that intramuscular route of administration of phages was the best route as it reduced Salmonella from the organs (liver, spleen and caecum). It could be concluded that for the successful phage therapy phages should be administered intramuscularly.