Figure 4.

Salmonella titers (log₁₀ CFU/g) in cecal contents before and after challenge and in the spleen after the challenge. At two weeks after vaccination and one week after challenge, ten chickens were euthanized and the Salmonella titers in the cecal contents and spleens were determined. (a) Cecal contents two weeks post booster vaccination (p = 0.38), (b) Cecal contents one week post-challenge (p = 0.66), and (c) Spleen one week post-challenge (p = 0.28). Spleen tissues of chickens before challenge were used for ELISpot assay. SE Pos—non-vaccinated but challenged group; Oral/IM—prime-boost vaccinated group with the candidate strain via oral–intramuscular route; and IM/Oral—prime-boost vaccination with the candidate via intramuscular–oral route.