Effect of dietary beta1-4 mannobiose in the prevention of Salmonella enteritidis infection in broilers

1. This study investigated the effects of beta1-4 Mannobiose (MNB)-supplemented feeds on the kinetics of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) in broilers and the ensuing histopathological changes. D-Mannose (MAN) was used for comparison. The diets supplemented with MNB or MAN were fed during the first two weeks after hatching to investigate any protection against SE infection in growing birds and any immunomodulatory functions in the gut. 2. MNB-supplementation reduced SE organ colonisation, caecal carriage and faecal shedding in a time-dependent manner. The high concentrations and persistency of the SE-specific IgA response in those birds given rations supplemented with MNB or MAN were associated with a decline in SE shedding and caecal carriage in the later stages of infection. MNB was more effective against SE infection than MAN. 3. Histological examination of the caecal wall and caecal tonsils at 23 d post-infection indicated a lesser degree of intestinal pathology. An increased number of intra-epithelial mononuclear cells (mature lymphocytes and macrophages) in the lining epithelium of birds fed on the diet supplemented with MNB was accompanied by an increased number of lamina propria cells. 4. The present study indicates that feeding a diet supplemented with MNB during the first two weeks after hatching reduced susceptibility to SE infection. Supplementing the diet with MNB or MAN increased IgA production and improved SE clearance by acting as immunomodulatory agents that prevented intestinal pathology. Feeding a MNB-supplemented diet to broilers could be used as an alternative to antibiotics, because it has no adverse effects on mortality or weight gain.     

Coated fatty acids alter virulence properties of Salmonella Typhimurium and decrease intestinal colonization of pigs

Salmonella Typhimurium infections in pigs are a major source of human foodborne salmonellosis. To reduce the number of infected pigs, acidification of feed or drinking water is a common practice. The aim of the present study was to determine whether some frequently used short- (SCFA) and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) are able to alter virulence gene expression and to decrease Salmonella Typhimurium colonization and shedding in pigs using well established and controlled in vitro and in vivo assays. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 4 SCFA (formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid) and 2 MCFA (caproic and caprylic acid) were determined using 54 porcine Salmonella Typhimurium field strains. MIC values increased at increasing pH-values and were two to eight times lower for MCFA than for SCFA. Expression of virulence gene fimA was significantly lower when bacteria were grown in LB-broth supplemented with sub-MIC concentrations of caproic or caprylic acid (2 mM). Expression of hilA and invasion in porcine intestinal epithelial cells was significantly lower when bacteria were grown in LB-broth containing sub-MIC concentrations of butyric acid or propionic acid (10 mM) and caproic or caprylic acid (2 mM). When given as feed supplement to pigs experimentally infected with Salmonella Typhimurium, coated butyric acid decreased the levels of faecal shedding and intestinal colonization, but had no influence on the colonization of tonsils, spleen and liver. Uncoated fatty acids, however, did not influence fecal shedding, intestinal or tonsillar colonization in pigs. In conclusion, supplementing feed with certain coated fatty acids, such as butyric acid, may help to reduce the Salmonella load in pigs.     

Fecal shedding of Salmonella spp by horses in the United States during 1998 and 1999 and detection of Salmonella spp in grain and concentrate sources on equine operations

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence of fecal shedding of Salmonella spp among horses in the US horse population and prevalence of Salmonella spp in grain or other concentrate used as horse feed on equine operations in the United States. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: Horses on 972 operations in 28 states. PROCEDURE: Fecal samples were collected from horses resident at each operation. Only a single sample was collected from any individual horse; number of horses from which samples were collected on each operation was determined on the basis of number of horses on the operation. A single sample of grain or concentrate was also collected from each operation. All samples were tested for Salmonella spp by means of bacterial culture. RESULTS: Overall, 0.8% (SE, 0.5) of resident horses shed Salmonella spp in their feces. The overall prevalence of operations positive for fecal shedding of Salmonella spp (i.e., operations with > or = 1 horse shedding Salmonella spp in its feces) was 1.8% (SE, 0.7). Prevalence of grain or other concentrate samples positive for Salmonella spp was 0.4%. Serotypes of Salmonella spp that were identified in grain or other concentrate were not those typically associated with clinical disease in horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that the national prevalence of fecal shedding of Salmonella spp by horses in the United States was 0.8%, and that prevalence of Salmonella spp in grain or other concentrate used for horse feed was 0.4%.     

Competitive exclusion treatment reduces the mortality and fecal shedding associated with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection in nursery-raised neonatal pigs.

We have previously reported that the administration of a competitive exclusion culture (PCF-1), derived from the cecal microflora of a young, healthy pig and maintained in a continuous flow fermentation system to neonatal pigs resulted in a decrease in the incidence of fecal shedding and cecal colonization by Salmonella choleraesuis in pigs at weaning. In the present experiment, we describe the effects of the administration of a derivative of the PCF-1 culture, RPCF, against an enterotoxigenic E. coli infection in neonatal pigs raised off-sow. The administration of RPCF at 12 and 24 hours after birth resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reductions in mortality, incidence of fecal shedding, and in gut colonization by E. coli when compared to control values. The RPCF reduced mortality from 17.5%, observed in untreated pigs, to 4.4% in RPCF-treated pigs. Fecal shedding of E. coli was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in RPCF-treated pigs between Days 1 and 3 post-challenge. These results indicate that the RPCF culture is effective against one of the most important causes of neonatal scours (E. coli infections) in piglets.     

Transmission and shedding patterns of Salmonella in naturally infected captive wild roof rats (Rattus rattus) from a Salmonella-contaminated layer farm

Rodents play a major role in the transmission and maintenance of Salmonella contamination cycles in poultry facilities. However, very limited field data are available regarding the transmission routes, infection cycle, and shedding patterns of Salmonella by naturally infected wild rodents from commercial layer farms. In this study, a total of 128 resident wild roof rats (Rattus ratus) were captured from a Salmonella-contaminated layer facility. All roof rats were divided into 51 laboratory cages, and weekly monitoring of Salmonella fecal shedding patterns was conducted for 53 wk. Seven roof rats from cages that were observed to frequently shed Salmonella were isolated in individual cages, and daily Salmonella monitoring was performed for 35 days. At the end of monitoring, each roof rat was euthanatized, and isolation of Salmonella from different organs was performed. Results of weekly monitoring of Salmonella showed that 21 of 51 cages (41.2%) were positive for Salmonella Infantis, while two cages (3.92%) were positive for Salmonella Enteritidis. Moreover, 11 cages were positive for Salmonella for at least two sampling weeks. Isolation of Salmonella from fecal droppings was mainly observed during the first 12 wk of captivity. The longest interval between two Salmonella-positive fecal dropping was 24 wk. In the daily Salmonella monitoring, only Salmonella Infantis was isolated from fecal droppings, in which the highest number of Salmonella Infantis organisms per fecal dropping was at 1 x 10(8) colony-forming units (cfu), while the lowest measured quantity was 1 x 10(3) cfu. It was noted that the frequency of Salmonella shedding in fecal droppings appeared to have a linear correlation (r = 0.85) with the number of Salmonella organisms (cfu) per fecal pellet (P < 0.05). Moreover, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis of Salmonella Infantis isolates revealed a single identical pulsed-field pattern. Salmonella Enteritidis isolates from fecal droppings and internal organs also generated a single identical pulsed-field pattern. Interestingly, Salmonella Infantis was not isolated from any of the organs examined, while Salmonella Enteritidis was isolated from the spleen and liver of one roof rat. These results may indicate that wild roof rats could persistently carry Salmonella and contaminate commercial poultry facilities through intermittent fecal shedding. Moreover, Salmonella Enteritidis in wild roof rats appears to be more of a systemic infection, in which isolation is most likely to occur in internal organs, whereas Salmonella Infantis is more likely an enteric type of infection, in which isolation is most likely to occur in the intestinal contents. It is very plausible that layer chickens could become infected with Salmonella through ingestion of Salmonella-positive fecal droppings or feeds contaminated with these fecal droppings from infected resident roof rats. This is likely one of the major reasons why layer houses can be persistently infected by Salmonella even if the facilities are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and if replacement stocks are obtained from Salmonella-free breeders and rearing units. It is therefore a noteworthy suggestion that rodent control programs inside poultry premises comprise an essential and effective tool in the management and control of Salmonella contamination in layer flocks.     

Effect of feeding the ionophores monensin and laidlomycin propionate and the antimicrobial bambermycin to sheep experimentally infected with E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium

Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella are widely recognized as important agents of foodborne disease with worldwide distribution. The use of ionophores in feeding growing ruminants is widespread in the United States and has attracted recent interest due to the apparent temporal relationship between initial ionophore use and the increase in human E. coli O157:H7 cases. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of short-term feeding of ionophores on fecal shedding, intestinal concentrations, and antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli O157:H7 and S. typhimurium in growing lambs. Sixteen lambs were used in each experiment, four lambs per treatment group: monensin, laidlomycin propionate, bambermycin, and a control treatment. Lambs were fed a grain and hay (50:50) diet with their respective ionophore for 12 d before experimental inoculation with E. coli O157:H7 or S. typhimurium. Animals were maintained on their respective diets an additional 12 d, and fecal shedding of inoculated pathogens was monitored daily. Lambs were killed and tissues and contents were sampled from the rumen, cecum, and rectum. No differences (P > 0.05) in fecal shedding of Salmonella or E. coli O157:H7 were observed due to treatment. Occurrence of Salmonella or E. coli in luminal contents and tissue samples from the rumen, cecum, and rectum did not differ (P > 0.05) among treatments. Feeding monensin decreased (P < 0.05) the incidence of scours in sheep infected with Salmonella compared with the other treatments. No differences in antimicrobial susceptibility were found in any of Salmonella or E. coli O157:H7 isolates. Results from these studies indicate that short-term ionophore feeding had very limited effects on E. coli and Salmonella shedding or on antimicrobial susceptibility in experimentally infected lambs.     

枯草芽孢杆菌对肉鸡肠道消化酶活性、黏膜结构及肠道菌群组成的影响

将216羽1日龄罗斯308肉鸡随机分成对照组和处理组,每组设3个重复,每个重复36羽。对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组饲喂基础日粮加枯草芽孢杆菌制剂。饲养期42d。结果显示：与对照组相比,处理组肉鸡十二指肠内容物中胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶和总蛋白水解酶的活性均显著提高（P〈0.05）;十二指肠、空肠和回肠绒毛高度显著增加（P〈0.05）,绒毛高度和隐窝深度的比值（VH/CD）显著升高（P〈0.05）;空肠和盲肠内容物中乳酸菌数量显著增加（P〈0.05）,大肠杆菌数量显著降低（P〈0.05）。结果表明,肉鸡日粮中添加适量的枯草芽孢杆菌能显著提高肉鸡消化酶活性,改善肉鸡肠黏膜结构及菌群组成,从而提高肉鸡的生长性能。     

包被植物乳杆菌和屎肠球菌对肉鸡生长性能、免疫和抗氧化功能以及肠道菌群的影响

本试验旨在研究双层包被植物乳杆菌和屎肠球菌对肉鸡生长性能、免疫和抗氧化功能以及肠道菌群的影响。选取144只体重相近、健康的1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉公鸡,随机分为4个组,每组6个重复,每个重复6只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别饲喂在基础饲粮基础上添加1 g/kg包被植物乳杆菌(活菌数为1.0×1010CFU/g)(ELP组)、1 g/kg包被屎肠球菌(活菌数为1.0×1010CFU/g)(EEF组)和1 g/kg包被植物乳杆菌+1 g/kg包被屎肠球菌(ELE组)的饲粮。试验期42 d。结果表明：1)与对照组相比,试验组肉鸡1～21日龄末重和平均日增重(ADG)显著提高(P<0.05),其中ELP组末重和ADG比对照组分别提高了12.77%和13.86%。2)21日龄,与对照组相比,ELE组肉鸡血清免疫球蛋白G和免疫球蛋白A(IgA)含量显著提高(P<0.05),EEF组血清IgA和免疫球蛋白M含量显著提高(P<0.05);21和42日龄,与对照组相比,试验组肉鸡血清肿瘤坏死因子-α、白细胞介素-2和白细胞介素-6含量显著降低(P<0.05),血清白细胞介素-...     

Cytokine gene expression in chicken cecal tonsils following treatment with probiotics and Salmonella infection

Probiotics are currently employed for control of pathogens and enhancement of immune response in chickens. In this study, we investigated the underlying immunological mechanisms of the action of probiotics against colonization of the chicken intestine by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (Salmonella serovar Typhimurium). Birds received probiotics by oral gavage on day 1 of age and, subsequently, received Salmonella serovar Typhimurium on day 2 of age. Cecal tonsils were removed on days 1, 3 and 5 post-infection (p.i.), RNA was extracted and subjected to real-time quantitative RT-PCR for measurement of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12 and interferon (IFN)-gamma gene expression. There was no significant difference in IL-6 and IL-10 gene expression in cecal tonsils of chickens belonging to various treatment groups. Salmonella serovar Typhimurium infection resulted in a significant increase in IL-12 expression in cecal tonsils on days 1 and 5p.i. However, when chickens were treated with probiotics prior to experimental infection with Salmonella, the level of IL-12 expression was similar to that observed in uninfected control chickens. Treatment of birds with probiotics resulted in a significant decrease in IFN-gamma gene expression in cecal tonsils of chickens infected with Salmonella compared to the Salmonella-infected birds not treated with probiotics. These findings reveal that repression of IL-12 and IFN-gamma expression is associated with probiotic-mediated reduction in intestinal colonization with Salmonella serovar Typhimurium.     

Effect of dietary lactose on Salmonella colonization of market-age broiler chickens

The effect of providing lactose in feed and inoculation with volatile fatty acid-producing anaerobic cultures (AC) of cecal flora on Salmonella typhimurium colonization was evaluated in broilers. One-day-old chicks were divided into four groups and provided 1) no lactose, no AC; 2) AC, no lactose; 3) AC and lactose on days 1-10; or 4) AC and lactose on days 1-40. All groups were challenged per os with 10(6) Salmonella on day 3 and with 10(8) Salmonella on day 33. Salmonella growth in the cecal contents was significantly decreased (P less than 0.01) on day 10 in the chicks provided lactose from day 1-10. However, after the removal of lactose from the diet, the chicks were susceptible to Salmonella colonization. The number of Salmonella in the ceca was significantly reduced (P less than 0.05) in the chicks provided lactose throughout the 40-day growing period. Dietary lactose decreased the pH of the cecal contents and was accompanied by marked increases in the concentrations of undissociated bacteriostatic volatile fatty acids in the cecal contents.     

A clinical field trial to evaluate the efficacy of vaccination in controlling Salmonella infection and the association of Salmonella-shedding and weight gain in pigs

A clinical field trial was performed to determine the effectiveness of an autogenous Salmonella Typhimurium bacterin compared with a commercial live S. Choleraesuis vaccine in pigs. The association between Salmonella shedding and weight gain was also investigated. Nine cohorts of weaned pigs, (330 to 350 pigs per cohort), were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups (injection with S. Typhimurium bacterin, vaccination via water with S. Choleraesuis vaccine, or a control group receiving no vaccine). In each cohort, the average daily gain was calculated for a selected pen throughout the production stage. Pen (pooled) fecal samples were collected bi-weekly and cultured. The odds of Salmonella shedding in both vaccinated groups was higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). The prevalence of Salmonella shedding declined overall as pigs aged (P = 0.04). However, the control pigs showed the smallest decrease in Salmonella shedding over the entire production stage, while prevalence of Salmonella shedding in the vaccinated groups decreased twice as much as the control group over the entire production stage. Salmonella Typhimurium var. Copenhagen DT104, S. Cerro, and S. Agona, which had been isolated on the study farm previously, were recovered from pigs in this study. Shedding of S. Typhimurium var. Copenhagen decreased over time in both vaccine treatment groups. On the other hand, S. Cerro shedding rate was lower in the control pigs compared with vaccinated pigs and S. Agona could be recovered only from the samples collected from S. Choleraesuis vaccinated pigs. The pigs from pens with a higher Salmonella recovery rate experienced slower growth compared with pigs from pens where Salmonella was not isolated. This latter finding indicates that there might be an economic incentive for producers to try to control endemic salmonellosis if effective programs could be developed.     

Evaluation of curcumin and copper acetate against Salmonella Typhimurium infection,intestinal permeability,and cecal microbiota composition in broiler chickens

Background: Interest in the use of natural feed additives as an alternative to antimicrobials in the poultry industry has increased in recent years because of the risk of bacterial resistance. One of the most studied groups are polyphenolic compounds, given their advantages over other types of additives and their easy potentiation of effects when complexes are formed with metal ions. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of dietary supplementation of copper acetate(CA), curcumin(CR), and their combination(CA-CR)against Salmonella Typhimurium colonization, intestinal permeability, and cecal microbiota composition in broiler chickens through a laboratory Salmonella infection model. S. Typhimurium recovery was determined on day 10 post-challenge by isolating Salmonella in homogenates of the right cecal tonsil(12 chickens per group) on Xylose Lysine Tergitol-4(XLT-4) with novobiocin and nalidixic acid. Intestinal integrity was indirectly determined by the fluorometric measurement of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran(FITC-d) in serum samples from blood obtained on d 10 post-S. Typhimurium challenge. Finally, microbiota analysis was performed using the content of the left caecal tonsil of 5 chickens per group by sequencing V4 region of 16 S rRNA gene.Results: The results showed that in two independent studies, all experimental treatments were able to significantly reduce the S. Typhimurium colonization in cecal tonsils(CT, P 0.0001) compared to the positive control(PC)group. However, only CA-CR was the most effective treatment in reducing S. Typhimurium counts in both independent studies. Furthermore, the serum fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran(FITC-d) concentration in chickens treated with CR was significantly lower when compared to PC(P = 0.0084), which is related to a decrease in intestinal permeability and therefore intestinal integrity. The effect of dietary treatments in reducing Salmonella was further supported by the analysis of 16 S rRNA gene sequences using Linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEfSe)since Salmonella was significantly enriched in PC group(LDA score 2.0 and P 0.05) compared to other groups. In addition, Coprobacillus, Eubacterium, and Clostridium were significantly higher in the PC group compared to other treatment groups. On the contrary, Fecalibacterium and Enterococcus in CR, unknown genus of Erysipelotrichaceae at CA-CR, and unknown genus of Lachnospiraceae at CA were significantly more abundant respectively.Conclusions: CR treatment was the most effective treatment to reduce S. Typhimurium intestinal colonization and maintain better intestinal homeostasis which might be achieved through modulation of cecal microbiota.     

Factors associated with Salmonella shedding among equine colic patients at a veterinary teaching hospital

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors potentially associated with fecal Salmonella shedding among equine patients hospitalized for colic at a veterinary teaching hospital and to determine the effects of probiotic treatment on fecal Salmonella shedding and clinical signs. DESIGN: Longitudinal study and controlled trial. ANIMALS: 246 equine colic patients. PROCEDURE: History and medical information were obtained from patient records. Fecal and environmental samples were submitted for aerobic bacterial culture for Salmonella enterica. Fifty-one patients were treated with a commercially available probiotic; 46 were treated with a placebo. Logistic regression was used to evaluate data. RESULTS: Salmonella organisms were detected in feces from 23 (9%) patients at least once during hospitalization. Patients were more likely to shed Salmonella organisms if diarrhea was evident < or = 6 hours after hospitalization and duration of hospitalization exceeded 8 days (odds ratio [OR], 20.3), laminitis developed during hospitalization (OR, 12.0), results of nasogastric intubation were abnormal (OR, 4.9), leukopenia was evident < or =6 hours after hospitalization (OR, 4.6), or travel time to the teaching hospital exceeded 1 hour (OR, 3.5). Horses treated with the probiotic did not differ from control horses in regard to likelihood of fecal Salmonella shedding (OR, 1.5) or prevalence of clinical signs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that certain risk factors are associated with fecal shedding of S enterica among equine patients hospitalized at a veterinary teaching hospital because of colic and that pathogen monitoring in patients and the hospital environment and use of barrier nursing precautions for equine colic patients are beneficial.     

Effect of a selected Lactobacillus spp.-based probiotic on Salmonella enterica serovar enteritidis-infected broiler chicks

The effect of a Lactobacillus spp.-based probiotic (FM-B11) on Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) recovery was evaluated in liquid (Expt. 1) and lyophilized (Expt. 2) forms in two separate experiments with two trials each. For each trial, 80 broiler chicks were randomly allocated into two treatments: control and probiotic culture. All chicks were challenged with SE (approximately 10(4) colony-forming units [cfu]) upon arrival at our laboratory. In both experiments, probiotic culture was administered in the drinking water for 3 consecutive days at a final concentration of approximately 10(6) cfu/ml, beginning 1 hr after SE challenge. Cecal tonsils were aseptically removed at 24 and 72 hr postchallenge, followed by enrichment and plating on xylose lactose deoxycholate (XLD) agar for the presence or absence of Salmonella-typical colonies. In Expt. 1, a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in SE-positive samples was observed in both trials at 24 and 72 hr postchallenge. Additionally, in Expt. 2, the lyophilized probiotic decreased (P < 0.05) SE recovery at both 24 and 72 hr postchallenge compared with the control group in trial 1. In trial 2, SE evaluation was performed only at 72 hr after challenge and fewer (P < 0.001) treated samples were positive for SE. Results showed that application of either liquid or lyophilized probiotic culture in the drinking water for 3 consecutive days can help to reduce SE recovery from young birds, although further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism of this response.     

Colonization of a marker and field strain of Salmonella enteritidis and a marker strain of Salmonella typhimurium in vancomycin-pretreated and nonpretreated laying hens

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of a vancomycin pretreatment on the ability of marker (nalidixic-acid resistant) Salmonella Enteritidis (SE(M)), field Salmonella Enteritidis (SE(E)), and marker Salmonella Typhimurium (ST(M)) strains to colonize within the intestinal and reproductive tracts and translocate to other organs of leghorn laying hens. In each of three trials, caged laying hens (76, 26, and 33 wk ofage) were divided into six groups designated to receive SE(M), SE(F), or ST(M), and half were pretreated with vancomycin (n = 11-12 hens). Vancomycin-treated hens received 10 mg vancomycin in saline/kilogram body weight orally for 5 days to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria within the intestines. On Day 6, all hens were concurrently challenged by oral, intravaginal, and intracolonal routes with Salmonella and placed into separate floor chambers by Salmonella strain. Two weeks postinoculation, all hens were euthanatized and the ceca, spleen, liver/gall bladder (LGB), upper (URT), and lower (LRT) reproductive tracts, and ovarian follicles were aseptically collected, and analyzed for Salmonella. Results did not differ for the three hen's ages and were therefore combined. The vancomycin pretreatment also had no significant effect on the colonization ability of SE(M), SE(F) or ST(M), and therefore results were combined within Salmonella strain. The marker strain of Salmonella Enteritidis was recovered from 21% of ceca, 4% of LGB, 9% of LRT, and 17% of the fecal samples. The field strain of Salmonella Enteritidis was recovered from 88% of ceca, 96% of spleen, 92% of LGB, 30% of LRT, 4% of URT, 13% of follicle, and 42% of the fecal samples. The marker strain of Salmonella Typhimurium was recovered from 100% of ceca, 74% of spleen, 91% of LGB, 30% of LRT, 9% of URT, 9% of follicle, and 100% of the fecal samples. Among ceca, spleen, LGB, and fecal samples, SE(F) and ST(M) colonization was significantly greater than SE(M) colonization. Overall prevalence of Salmonella in the reproductive tracts of challenged hens was relatively low, ranging from 4% to 30%.     

日粮添加水苏糖对肉仔鸡鼠伤寒沙门氏菌感染控制效果的研究

试验研究了添加不同梯度水苏糖对肉鸡鼠伤寒沙门氏菌攻毒的控制效果。试验选用1日龄体重相近(45.52±1.48)g的健康AA肉鸡公雏72只,随机分为3个处理,设6个重复,每个重复4只。在玉米-大豆浓缩蛋白日粮基础上分别添加0、0.4%和0.8%水平的水苏糖。结果表明:日粮添加水苏糖降低了肉鸡体重;肉鸡肠道沙门氏菌控制效果不显著,第19天时,0.4%水苏糖添加组的大肠杆菌数显著高于其他2组(P<0.05),乳酸菌各处理之间差异不显著;pH值与盲肠指数无差异(P>0.05)。以上研究表明,该梯度水苏糖不能控制肉鸡沙门氏菌感染,对肉鸡无保护作用。     

Decreased thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and 5'-deiodination levels in malabsorption syndrome (runting or stunting syndrome) in artificially inoculated broilers

The effect of malabsorption syndrome (stunting or runting syndrome) on the thyroid function of broilers was investigated in control and inoculated broilers from 1 to 29 days of age. The broilers were infected at 1 day of age with intestinal homogenates from chickens naturally suffering from this syndrome. The body weight of inoculated broilers was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower 1 week after inoculation than that of controls. The level of thyroxine in the serum of inoculated birds was lower (P less than 0.05) from day 6 through the remainder of the trial. The level of triiodothyronine of inoculated birds was depressed (P less than 0.05) on day 4, but 1 week later it returned to normal. The earliest phenomenon indicative of disturbance of thyroid function was the significant depression of 5'-deiodination in liver homogenates of inoculated broilers as early as day 2. It is concluded that thyroid function is one of the earliest targets of this syndrome.     

Effect of a mannanoligosaccharide-supplemented diet on intestinal mucosa T lymphocyte populations in chickens challenged withSalmonella Enteritidis

Salmonellosis is one of the most common worldwide zoonosis, and the Enteritidis and Typhimurium serotypes are most prevalent. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a diet supplemented with mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) on CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and goblet cell counts in the intestines of broilers vaccinated and challenged withSalmonella Enteritidis. The evaluation was based on randomized experiments including 45 chickens divided into 3 experimental groups. Group 1 received a nonsupplemented control diet. Group 2 received a diet supplemented with 1 kg MOS/t from d 1 to 21 and 0.5 kg MOS/t from d 22 to 56. Group 3 received a diet supplemented with 2 kg MOS/t from d 1 to 21 and 1 kg MOS/t from d 22 to 56. Chickens fed the lower level of MOS demonstrated reduced fecal shedding ofSalmonella 14 d after being challenged (P < 0.05). Both groups of MOS-supplemented chickens showed an increase in CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts in the ileal and cecal mucosa after being challenged withSalmonella Enteritidis (SE). Supplementation with MOS increased the specific T lymphocyte infiltration in the intestinal mucosa of chickens vaccinated and challenged withSalmonella Enteritidis.     

Dynamics of lymphocyte subpopulation changes in the cecal tonsils of chickens infected with Salmonella enteritidis

Salmonella enteritidis (SE)-induced changes in various T and B lymphocyte subpopulations in the cecal tonsils of chickens were analyzed using flow cytometry. At 1 day post-SE inoculation, the percentages of CD3(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes were significantly decreased in the group inoculated with 1x10(9) SE colony-forming units (CFU) (SE high) and in the group inoculated with 1x10(6) SE CFU (SE low) compared with the uninfected control group. The percentage of CD4(+) T lymphocytes was significantly increased in the SE high group compared to the uninfected and the SE low groups at 4 days after SE inoculation. The percentage of IgG(+) B lymphocytes was also significantly increased in both SE high and low groups compared to the uninfected control at 6 days post-SE inoculation. In contrast, the SE low group showed significantly fewer IgM(+) B lymphocytes compared to the uninfected and SE high groups. These results show that SE infection induces significant changes in the cecal tonsil lymphocytes subpopulations shortly following SE inoculation.