Journal of Fisheries & Livestock Production
Open Access

Abstract

In this study, the efficacy of acidifiers (lactic and formic acids) and probiotic preparations containing Pediococcus acidilactici (P. acidilactici) and Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) in reducing of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) infection in broiler chickens was investigated. One hundred and three-day-old broiler chicks were used. Three birds were euthanized for C. jejuni re-isolation at day old. One hundred chicks were assigned into 4 equal groups each composed of 25 birds. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were fed on ration containing acidifiers, P. acidilactici and S. boulardii, respectively; from day old till 5 weeks old. Chicks of group 4 were fed on plain ration (control). At 2 weeks of age, each bird was orally challenged with C. jejuni. Groups were kept for 3 weeks recording signs and mortalities. Faecal swabs were collected at different intervals for C. jejuni shedding. Liver and intestine were collected weekly for C. jejuni re-isolation. At 5 weeks of age, all birds were subjected for post-mortem lesions scoring of C. jejuni. Results cleared more severe signs of greenish diarrhoea in control than treated birds with no mortalities in all groups. Significant (p<0.05) reduction of C. jejuni shedding and re-isolation rates as well as lesions scoring was seen in groups treated with S. boulardii and P. acidilactici followed by acidifiers over control birds. In conclusion, both acidifiers and probiotic preparations greatly reduced and eliminated C. jejuni infection in broiler chickens.

Biography

Wafaa A Abd El-Ghany has completed her PhD from Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University. She is a Professor in Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Poultry Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.