Effect of Herbanoplex CP® on broiler chicken’s performance following a non-defined challenge or intestinal lesion score using a necrotic enteritis challenge model

Necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) results in impaired bird growth performance and increased production costs. Nanotechnology application in the poultry industry to control NE outbreaks is still not completely clarified. Therefore, the efficacy of dietary garlic nano-hydrogel (G-NHG) on broilers growth performance, intestinal integrity, economic returns and its potency to alleviate C. perfringens levels using NE challenge model were addressed. A total of 1200 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned into six groups; four supplemented with 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg of G-NHG/kg diet and co-challenged with C. perfringens at 21, 22 and 23 d of age and two control groups fed basal diet with or without C. perfringens challenge. Over the total growing period, the 400 mg/kg G-NHG group had the most improved body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency regardless of challenge. Parallel with these results, the mRNA expression of genes encoding digestive enzymes (alpha 2A amylase (AMY2A), pancreatic lipase (PNLIP) and cholecystokinin (CCK)) and intestinal barriers (junctional adhesion molecule-2 (JAM-2), occludin and mucin-2 (Muc-2)) were increased in groups fed G-NHG at higher levels to be nearly similar to those in the unchallenged group. At 14 d post challenge, real-time PCR results revealed that inclusion of G-NHG led to a dose-dependently decrease in the C. perfringens population, thereby decreasing the birds’ intestinal lesion score and mortality rates. Using 400 mg/kg of G-NHG remarkably ameliorated the adverse effects of NE caused by C. perfringens challenge, which contributed to better growth performance of challenged birds with rational economic benefits.

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Quantification of Cell Proliferation and Alpha-Toxin Gene Expression of Clostridium perfringens in the Development of Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.01108-07 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 73 (21) ◽

pp. 7110-7113 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Weiduo Si ◽

Joshua Gong ◽

Yanming Han ◽

Hai Yu ◽

John Brennan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Regression Model ◽

Clostridium Perfringens ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Toxin Gene ◽

Necrotic Enteritis ◽

Lesion Score ◽

Alpha Toxin ◽

Toxin Gene Expression

ABSTRACT Cell proliferation and alpha-toxin gene expression of Clostridium perfringens in relation to the development of necrotic enteritis (NE) were investigated. Unlike bacitracin-treated chickens, non-bacitracin-treated birds exhibited typical NE symptoms and reduced growth performance. They also demonstrated increased C. perfringens proliferation and alpha-toxin gene expression that were positively correlated and progressed according to the regression model y = b 0 + b 1 X − b 2 X 2. The average C. perfringens count of 5 log10 CFU/g in the ileal digesta appears to be a threshold for developing NE with a lesion score of 2.

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127 A novel find of a Feed NSPase Enzyme, Natugrain® TS, reducing finish pig hemorrhagic bowel syndrome mortality

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz122.130 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 70-71

Author(s):

Michael Coelho ◽

Robert Jones ◽

Frank Parks

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Random Effect ◽

Fixed Effect ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Lesion Score ◽

Intestinal Lesion ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

E Coli ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design

Abstract This study presents a novel find of a Feed NSPase Enzyme, Natugrain TS, reducing finish pig hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) mortality. A total of 3,750 weaned pigs (28 kg), (PIC 337 x Camborough), were used in a randomized complete block design with pen as the experimental unit, treatment as the fixed effect, and block as the random effect (25 pigs/pen x 5 treatments x 30 replications). Pigs were blocked by sex and weight and were fed mash corn/soy/DDGs diets formulated to meet or exceed current NRC (2012) recommendations. Treatments were T1= 0 g/MT Natugrain TS, T2= 100 g/MT Natugrain TS, T3= 150 g/MT Natugrain TS, T4= 200 g/MT Natugrain TS and T5= 250 g/MT Natugrain TS. At the finishing phase, Natugrain TS significantly decreased intestinal E. coli log 10 (7.12, 4.95, 4.02, 3.21 and 3.25 log 10, P < 0.05, respectively), significantly decreased intestinal lesion score (0–5 score) (4.21, 4.02, 2.98, 2.25 and 2.26, P < 0.05, respectively). Microbiota was analyzed in fresh, manually collected, rectum fecal samples. Microbiota was separated into prevalent in Natugrain TS control (0) and 200 g/ton. In the control treatment, there was a prevalence of Desulfoyibrio, Oscillospira, Campylobacter, Anearoctruncus, Mogibacterium and Brachyspirae, etc., while in the 200 g/ton treatment there was a prevalence of Synergistales, Burkolderiales, Dehabacteriaceae, Bifidobacterium, Roseburia, Lactobacillus and Bacilli, etc. Natugrain TS significantly decreased mortality (4.8, 3.6, 2.7, 1.9 and 2.1 %, P < 0.05, respectively), significantly decreased specifically HBS mortality (3.50, 1.98, 0.68, 0.40 and 0.46%, P < 0.05, respectively). In conclusion, Natugrain TS changed the microbiome by breaking down arabinoxylans, decreasing intestinal E. coli and intestinal lesion score, changing the microbiota to prevalent Bifidobacterium, Roseburia, Lactobacillus and Bacilli, and Natugrain TS up to 200 g/ton specifically decreasing hemorrhagic bowel syndrome mortality from 3.5% to 0.5%.

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EFFECTS OF SALINOMYCIN AND LINCOMYCIN UPON PERFORMANCE, MORTALITY AND INTESTINAL LESION SCORE IN BROILER CHICKENS USING AN IN-FEED COCCIDIA MODEL

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas85-030 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 255-258 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R. K. WHEELHOUSE ◽

B. I. GROVES ◽

C. A. HAMMANT

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Lesion Score ◽

Intestinal Lesion ◽

And Performance

A floor pen trial using an in-feed coccidia model was conducted to determine the efficacy of salinomycin at the rate of 60 mg/kg of feed and to ascertain any interference of lincomycin at 2.2 mg/kg upon salinomycin efficacy in broiler chickens. Inclusion of salinomycin effectively controlled mortality due to coccidiosis (P < 0.05), and improved mean intestinal lesion score and performance (P < 0.05). Addition of lincomycin to the diet did not interfere with the coccidiostatic properties of salinomycin. Key words: Broiler chickens, coccidiosis, salinomycin, lincomycin

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Experimental induction of necrotic enteritis with or without predisposing factors using netB positive Clostridium perfringens strains

Gut Pathogens ◽

10.1186/s13099-021-00463-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mudassar Mohiuddin ◽

Weikang Yuan ◽

Zhongfeng Song ◽

Shenquan Liao ◽

Nanshan Qi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fish Meal ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

High Protein Diet ◽

Predisposing Factors ◽

Necrotic Enteritis ◽

Lesion Score ◽

Poultry Birds ◽

Specific Pathogen

Abstract Background Poultry necrotic enteritis (NE) is an economically important disease caused by C. perfringens. The disease causing ability of this bacterium is linked with the production of a wide variety of toxins. Among them, necrotic enteritis B-like (NetB) toxin is reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of NE; in addition there is some circumstantial evidence that tpeL toxin may enhance virulence, but this is yet to be definitely shown. The situation becomes more complicated in the presence of a number of predisposing factors like co-infection with coccidia, type of diet and use of high protein diet. These co-factors alter the intestinal environment, thereby favoring the production of more toxins, leading to a more severe disease. The objective of this study was to develop a successful animal model that would induce clinical signs and lesions of NE using C. perfringens type G strains obtained from field outbreaks. A separate trial was simultaneously considered to establish the role of dietary factor with coccidial co-infection in NE. Results The results have shown that use of net-B positive C. perfringens without predisposing factors induce moderate to severe NE (Av. Lesion score 1.79 ± 1.50). In a separate trial, addition of fish meal to a feed of C. perfringens challenged birds produced higher number of NE cases (Av. Lesion score 2.17 ± 1.28). However, use of less virulent E. necatrix strain along with fish meal in conjunction with net-B positive strain did not alter the severity of NE lesions in specific pathogen free chicken (Av. Lesion score 2.21 ± 1.13). Conclusions This study suggests that virulent C. perfringens type G strains can induce NE lesions in the absence of other predisposing factors. Birds in the clostridia challenged group showed moderate to severe NE lesions. Use of less virulent coccidia strain contributed to a lesser extent in increasing the severity of disease. Maize based diet along with fishmeal (1:1) increased the severity of lesions but statistically it was non-significant. The NE lesions in all experimental groups were found to be present more frequently in the duodenum. In this way, this study provided an effective model for in vivo production of NE in poultry birds.

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Probiotics Bacillus licheniformis Improves Intestinal Health of Subclinical Necrotic Enteritis-Challenged Broilers

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.623739 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Liugang Kan ◽

Fangshen Guo ◽

Yan Liu ◽

Van Hieu Pham ◽

Yuming Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacillus Licheniformis ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Control Group ◽

Intestinal Damage ◽

Necrotic Enteritis ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Poultry Production ◽

Intestinal Health ◽

Intestinal Lesion ◽

Mucin 2

Necrotic enteritis infection poses a serious threat to poultry production, and there is an urgent need for searching effective antibiotic alternatives to control it with the global ban on in-feed antibiotics. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Bacillus licheniformis replacing enramycin on the growth performance and intestinal health of subclinical necrotic enteritis (SNE)-challenged broilers. In total, 504 1-day-old Arbor Acres male chickens were selected and subsequently assigned into three treatments, including PC (basal diet + SNE challenge), PA (basal diet extra 10 mg/kg enramycin + SNE challenge), and PG (basal diet extra 3.20 × 109 and 1.60 × 109 CFU B. licheniformis per kg diet during 1–21 days and 22–42 days, respectively + SNE challenge). Results showed that B. licheniformis significantly decreased the intestinal lesion scores and down-regulated the Claudin-3 mRNA levels in jejunum of SNE-infected broilers on day 25, but increased the mucin-2 gene expression in broilers on day 42. In addition, B. licheniformis significantly up-regulated the mRNA levels of TRIF and NF-κB of SNE-challenged broilers compared with the control group on day 25 and TLR-4, TRIF compared with the control and the antibiotic group on day 42. The mRNA expression of growth factors (GLP-2 and TGF-β2) and HSPs (HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90) were up-regulated in B. licheniformis supplementary group on days 25 and 42 compared with group PC. LEfSe analysis showed that the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae_UCG_010 was enriched in the PG group; nevertheless, Clostridiales_vadinBB60 and Rnminococcaceae_NK4A214 were in PA. PICRUSt analysis found that the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, amino acid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism pathways were enriched, whereas energy metabolism, membrane transport, cell motility, and lipid metabolism were suppressed in B. licheniformis-supplemented groups as compared with the PC control. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of B. licheniformis alleviated the intestinal damage caused by SNE challenge that coincided with modulating intestinal microflora structure and barrier function as well as regulating intestinal mucosal immune responses.

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Comparative Analysis of Evaluation Parameters in Broiler Chickens Infected With Major Parasitic Species of Eimeria

10.21203/rs.3.rs-119347/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rochelle Flores ◽

Binh Nguyen ◽

Paula Leona Cammayo ◽

Cherry Fernandez-Colorado ◽

Woo Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

The Body ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Lesion Score ◽

Intestinal Protozoan ◽

Intestinal Lesion ◽

Parasitic Species

Abstract Background: Avian coccidiosis is a major disease within the poultry industry caused by species of Eimeria, an intestinal protozoan parasite. Body weight gain, intestinal lesion score, and fecal oocyst shedding are parameters that have been used to assess the protective effects of various treatments in Eimeria-infected chickens. The objective of this study was to compare the aforementioned parameters in broiler chickens infected with major parasitic species of Eimeria, such as E. acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella. Results: The results of the body weight gain, intestinal lesion score, and fecal oocyst shedding showed similar patterns between female and male broilers infected with Eimeria species. However, there was a difference in body weight gain between normal females and males, and also between Eimeria-infected females and males. When broilers were infected with 1×104 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria species, each Eimeria species induced distinct changes in body weight gain, lesion score, and fecal oocyst shedding. In addition, a lesion score of approximately 3 was more closely related to body weight gain than a lesion score of approximately 2. Conclusion: These results suggest that certain levels of lesion severity are more closely related to body weight gain.

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Effects of Vaccination Against Coccidiosis on Gut Microbiota and Immunity in Broiler Fed Bacitracin and Berry Pomace

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2021.621803 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Quail Das ◽

Julie Shay ◽

Martin Gauthier ◽

Xianhua Yin ◽

Teri-Lyn Hasted ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Poultry Feed ◽

Necrotic Enteritis ◽

Performance Parameters ◽

Intestinal Lesion ◽

Significant Treatment ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Cecal Microbiota ◽

Humoral Responses ◽

Dietary Treatments

Feeding practices have been found to influence gut microbiota which play a major role in immunity of poultry. In the present study, changes in cecal microbiota and humoral responses resulting in the 55 ppm bacitracin (BACI), 1% each of cranberry (CP1) and wild blueberry (BP1) pomace alone or in combination (CP+BP) feeding in broiler Cobb 500 vaccinated or not against coccidiosis were investigated. In the non-vaccinated group, no significant treatment effects were observed on performance parameters. Vaccination significantly affected bird’s performance parameters particularly during the growing phase from 10 to 20 days of age. In general, the prevalence of coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis (NE) was reduced by vaccination (P < 0.05). BACI-treated birds showed low intestinal lesion scores, and both CP1 and BP1 feed supplementations reduced Eimeria acervulina and Clostridium perfringens incidences similar to BACI. Vaccination induced change in serum enzymes, minerals, and lipid levels in 21-day old birds while, levels of triglyceride (TRIG) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were higher (P < 0.05) in CP1 treated non–vaccinated group than in the control. The levels of NEFA were lower in BACI- and CP1-fed birds than in the control in non-vaccinated day 28 old birds. The highest levels of all estimated three immunoglobulins (IgY, IgM, and IgA) were found in the vaccinated birds. Metagenomics analysis of the cecal bacterial community in 21-day old birds showed the presence of Firmicutes (90%), Proteobacteria (5%), Actinobacteria (2%), and Bacteroidetes (2%). In the vaccinated group, an effect of BACI was noted on Proteobacteria (P = 0.03). Vaccination and/or dietary treatments influenced the population of Lactobacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridiaceae, and Streptococcaceae which were among the most abundant families. Overall, this study revealed that besides their beneficial effects on performance, alike bacitracin, berry pomaces in poultry feed have profound impacts on the chicken cecal microbiota and blood metabolites that could be influenced by vaccination against coccidiosis.

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The effects of Pediococcus acidilactici and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens induced subclinical necrotic enteritis

Veterinarski arhiv ◽

10.24099/vet.arhiv.0960 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 91 (4) ◽

pp. 389-397

Author(s):

Rachid Merati ◽

◽

Ali Alaa Abdel-Fattah Mohamed ◽

Zahra Berrama ◽

Hebib Aggad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Clostridium Perfringens ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Control Group ◽

Necrotic Enteritis ◽

Pediococcus Acidilactici ◽

Lesion Score ◽

Feed Conversion

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Pediococcus acidilactici (P. acidilactici) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) on the growth performance, intestinal lesions and ileal Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) count of broiler chickens challenged with C. perfringens induced sub-clinical necrotic enteritis (NE). A total of 150 broiler chicks, allocated into five treatment groups (6 replicates of 5 chicks/cage), were reared in cages for 29 days: T0 (control group, not infected, not supplemented); T1 (infected with C. perfringens, not supplemented); T2 (infected with C. perfringens and coccidia, not supplemented); T3 (infected with C. perfringens and coccidia, supplemented with P. acidilactici); T4 (infected with C. perfringens and coccidia, supplemented with S. cerevisiae). The parameters analyzed were: body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality, intestinal lesion score and ileal C. perfringens enumeration by quantitative real-time PCR. The challenge resulted in impairment of growth performance, increased lesion score (≤ 2) and overgrowth of the C. perfringens population. However, the dietary inclusion of P. acidilactici or S. cerevisiae caused a significant improvement in feed conversion, net reduction of gut lesions, as well as a decrease in the intestinal C. perfringens population. In conclusion, these results suggest that dietary supplementation with probiotics (P. acidilactici or S. cerevisiae) could be beneficial to alleviate the negative effects of subclinical NE in broiler chickens.

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Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) Essential Oil Feed Supplement Protected Broilers Chickens against Clostridium perfringens Induced Necrotic Enteritis

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture12010018 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 18

Author(s):

Xiaolu Jin ◽

Guanggen Huang ◽

Zheng Luo ◽

Yongfei Hu ◽

Dan Liu

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Clostridium Perfringens ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Control Group ◽

Necrotic Enteritis ◽

Dosage Group ◽

Feed Supplement ◽

Antibacterial Effects ◽

Origanum Vulgare ◽

Intestinal Lesion

Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) is a well-known traditional medicine and a cooking spice. Recent practice has also applied the essential oil from oregano (OEO) in poultry due to its great potential for an antibiotic alternative. Our objective was to evaluate the potential effects of OEO (with carvacrol and thymol as the main active ingredient) on preventing necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens (Cp) in chickens. In the feeding trial, a total of 450 one-day-old commercial Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned in 5 experimental groups during a 26-day production period (d19 to d 26 was the Cp challenge stage), and each group consisted of 6 replicate pens (15 birds each pen). All treatments were: basal diet (control group); basal diet and Cp challenge (model group); Cp challenge and 10 mg/kg enramycin (positive control group); Cp challenge and 200 mg/kg OEO product (OEO low dosage group, OEOL); Cp challenge and 300 mg/kg OEO product (OEO high dosage group, OEOH). OEO feed supplement at both dosages had significant effects on increasing the body weight gain (BWG) and reversing the dropped feed intake (FI) induced by Cp challenge. Histopathological changes in the ileums of broiler chickens with NE induced by Cp were alleviated by OEO, which was mutually confirmed by the intestinal lesion scores. Dosage did not influence the protective effect of OEO on intestinal lesion scores. Furthermore, OEO was found to have limited effects on tight junction-related gene expressions (Occludin and ZO-1). The broilers of the OEOL and OEOH groups significantly decreased the expression of TNF-α mRNA in the ileum and only the OEOH group was found to inhibit the IFN-γ expression of IFN- induced by Cp challenge. Finally, despite the fact that in vitro antibacterial effects by OEO were observed, considering its high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value, we inferred that the protective effects by OEO against Cp challenge were not attributable to its direct antibacterial effects. We proposed OEO as a promising substitute for antibiotics against NE induced by Cp during poultry production.

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