Adherence of salmonellae and native gut microflora to the gastrointestinal mucosa of chicks.

Adherence of salmonellae to the mucosa of the cecum was demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy. In the absence of other microflora, adherence was also shown at all other levels of the alimentary tract tested. Comparative development of native gut microflora in the ceca was also investigated in chicks treated with selected fecal microflora and in untreated chicks using scanning electron microscopy. In the treated chicks, there was early colonization by adherent bacteria interconnected with fibers, forming a mat of microflora. This mat of microflora may be responsible for preventing colonization of salmonellae in the ceca.