Zinc-Mediated Modulation of Host-Pathogen Interactions in Poultry: Implications for Salmonella Control and Trace Element Biology.

Salmonella remains a major foodborne pathogen associated with poultry production, posing significant public health and economic challenges worldwide. Increasing restrictions on antibiotic use have intensified the search for alternative control strategies in poultry systems. Zinc, an essential trace mineral, has emerged as a promising nutritional intervention due to its multifunctional roles in host defense and microbial regulation. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the effectiveness of zinc in reducing Salmonella in poultry, with emphasis on underlying mechanisms, comparative efficacy of different zinc sources, and practical applications in production systems. Available evidence indicates that zinc enhances innate and adaptive immune responses, preserves intestinal barrier integrity, modulates gut microbiota toward beneficial populations, and exerts direct antibacterial effects. These combined actions position zinc as a key regulator of host-pathogen interactions, linking trace element homeostasis with immune function and microbial dynamics. Consequently, zinc supplementation is associated with reduced cecal colonization, decreased fecal shedding, and limited systemic dissemination. Compared with conventional inorganic zinc sources, many organic zinc complexes have demonstrated improved bioavailability and enhanced functional responses under comparable experimental conditions. However, the magnitude of these benefits varies according to ligand chemistry, dietary composition, bird age, physiological status, and study design. Zinc is most effective when integrated with complementary strategies, including probiotics, organic acids, and vaccination programs. Overall, zinc represents a practical component of sustainable, antibiotic-free approaches to improving poultry health and food safety, although further field validation and optimization are required to ensure consistent performance under commercial conditions.