Comparison of alternatives to in-feed antimicrobials for the prevention of clinical necrotic enteritis

  1. M.S. Geier1,2,
  2. L.L. Mikkelsen2,3,
  3. V.A. Torok2,4,
  4. G.E. Allison5,
  5. C.G. Olnood2,3,
  6. M. Boulianne1,6,
  7. R.J. Hughes1,2,
  8. M. Choct2,3

Article first published online: 23 APR 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04758.x

Issue

Journal of Applied Microbiology

Journal of Applied Microbiology

Volume 109, Issue 4, pages 1329–1338, October 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Geier, M., Mikkelsen, L., Torok, V., Allison, G., Olnood, C., Boulianne, M., Hughes, R. and Choct, M. (2010), Comparison of alternatives to in-feed antimicrobials for the prevention of clinical necrotic enteritis. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 109: 1329–1338. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04758.x

Author Information

  1. 1

     Pig and Poultry Production Institute, South Australian Research and Development Institute, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, SA, Australia

  2. 2

     Australian Poultry Co-operative Research Centre, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia

  3. 3

     School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia

  4. 4

     Plant and Soil Health, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Plant Research Centre, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA, Australia

  5. 5

     School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and ANU Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

  6. 6

     Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada

*Mark S. Geier, Pig and Poultry Production Institute, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Roseworthy, SA, Australia 5371. E-mail: Mark.Geier@sa.gov.au

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 16 SEP 2010
  2. Article first published online: 23 APR 2010
  3. 2009/2118: received 9 December 2009, revised 28 March 2010 and accepted 14 April 2010

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Keywords:

  • antibiotics;
  • microbiota;
  • necrotic enteritis;
  • organic acid;
  • probiotics

Abstract

Aims:  The capacity for Lactobacillus johnsonii and an organic acid (OA) blend to prevent Clostridium perfringens-induced clinical necrotic enteritis (NE) in chickens was studied.

Methods and Results:  Cobb 500 birds were allocated into six groups (n = 25 birds/pen, eight pens/treatment); Unchallenged, Challenged, Antimicrobial (zinc bacitracin (ZnB)/monensin), OA, probiotic Lact. johnsonii and probiotic sham (Phosphate–buffered saline). All birds were challenged with Eimeria spp. and Cl. perfringens except for unchallenged controls. Birds fed antimicrobials were protected from NE development as indicated by maintenance of body weight, low mortality and clostridium levels, and decreased intestinal macroscopic lesion scores compared to challenged controls (P < 0·05). Lactobacillus johnsonii-fed birds had reduced lesion scores, whilst OA-fed birds had decreased Cl. perfringens levels. Both Lact. johnsonii and OA-fed birds had improved feed efficiency between days 0 and 28 compared to challenged controls; however, mortality and body weights were not improved by either treatment. Microbial profiling indicated that the challenge procedure significantly altered the jejunal microbiota. The microbiota of antimicrobial-fed birds was significantly different from all other groups.

Conclusions:  Whilst Lact. johnsonii and OA altered specific intestinal parameters, significant protection against NE was not observed.

Significance and Impact of the Study: Lactobacillus johnsonii and OA did not prevent NE; however, some improvements were evident. Other related treatments, or combinations of these two treatments, may provide greater protection.

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