Infection of laying hens with Salmonella enteritidis PT4 by conjunctival challenge.

The direct administration of either 103 or 108 cells of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 on to the conjunctiva of laying hens resulted in systemic infection. The bacterium was isolated from a variety of tissues, including the ovary and oviduct, and it was excreted in faeces for at least 27 days after infection.