In modern poultry production systems, environmental stressors may influence bird performance and susceptibility to pathogens such as Salmonella Enteritidis. Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of 24-h feed withdrawal and 24-h exposure to high temperature (30 degrees C) on intestinal characteristics of broilers. Attachment of Salmonella Enteritidis to ileal tissue was determined using an in vitro ileal loop assay. Changes in commensal intestinal microbial populations were determined using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and alterations in ileal morphology were determined histologically. Ex vivo attachment of Salmonella Enteritidis to ileal tissues increased by 1.5 logs (9.05 log10 vs. 7.59 log (10) Salmonella Enteritidis/g of ileal tissue; P = 0.0006) in broilers fasted for 24 h. Similarly, ileal tissues from birds subjected to 30 degrees C for 24 h had increased ex vivo attachment of Salmonella Enteritidis (8.77 log(10) vs. 8.50 log(10) Salmonella Enteritidis/g of ileum; P = 0.01) compared with birds held at 23 degrees C. Exposure to 30 degrees C for 24 h also altered microbial community structure in the ileum and cecum. Subjecting birds to 30 degrees C for 24 h reduced crypt depth (6.0 vs. 7.8 microm, respectively; P = 0.002), but had no effect on villus height or villus:crypt ratio. This research shows that acute stressors in poultry production systems can cause changes in the normal intestinal microbiota and epithelial structure, which may lead to increased attachment of Salmonella Enteritidis.