Infected Broiler Chickens Research Articles

Impact of Dietary Supplementation of Whole Flaxseed and Flaxseed Meal to Infected Broiler Chickens with Eimeria tenella

Impact of Dietary Supplementation of Whole Flaxseed and Flaxseed Meal to Infected Broiler Chickens with Eimeria tenella

The Effect of Omega 3 and Vitamin E against Avian Influenza in Broiler Chickens

The present study assessed the individual and combined effect of vitamin E and omega 3 against low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus in broiler birds. Day-old broiler birds (n=125) were equally divided into five groups (A, B, C, D & E). Group A was non infected negative control. While groups B, C, D and E were infected with low pathogenic avian influenza (H9N2) virus at 28th day (2 HAunits/bird). Group B was given omega 3 at rate of 150mg/kg in feed. Group C was given vitamin E 200 IU/kg. Group D was offered vitamin E and omega 3. Group E was designated as positive control without supplementation. The results revealed significantly increased antibody titer, decreased heterophil lymphocyte ratio, improved feed conversion ratio and least histopathological lesions in birds given vitamin E alone followed by the group given combination of vitamin E and omega 3. These results concluded the positive impact of Vitamin E as compare to omega 3 alone and combined omega 3 with vitamin E against LPAI infection in broiler chickens. These findings can have useful field application in control of avian influenza.

T Lymphocytes Response to Caecal Coccidiosis in Broilers Infected with Exo and Endogenous Stages of Eimeria Tenella

The present study reveals the proliferation of cytokines in treated and non- treated broilers consisting of IFN- γ, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF and TGF. The CD4 count in the treated and non- treated broilers orally administered with various developmental stages of the parasite reached a peak on day 10 at primary; secondary and day 24 at tertiary infections. There was significant difference in the CD4 cell count between groups of the infected broiler chickens (p < 0.05). The current study observed a relationship between the different developmental stages of the parasite and lymphocytes response. Broiler chickens infected with sporulated oocyst (sporozoites) and merozoites treated and non-treated gave high CD4 T- lymphocyte numbers than the other groups throughout the experimental periods.

Anticoccidial activity of fruit peel of Punica granatum L.

In the interests of food safety and public health, plants and their compounds are now re-emerging as an alternative approach to treat parasitic diseases. Here, we studied the anticoccidial effect of different solvent extracts of the fruit peel of Punica granatum-a commercial waste from pomegranate juice industries. The hope underlying these experiments was to find a sustainable natural product for controlling coccidiosis. The plant extracts were prepared using solvents of different polarity. Acute oral toxicity study was first carried out to see the safety of crude extracts. A high dose of crude extracts (300 mg/kg body weight) was tested for possession of anticoccidial activity against experimentally induced coccidial infection in broiler chicken. Activity was measured in comparison to the reference drug amprolium on the basis of oocyst output reduction, mean weight gain of birds and feed conversion ratio. Oocyst output was measured using Mc-Masters counting technique. Acute oral toxicity study showed that crude extracts of P. granatum are safe up to dosage of 2000 mg/kg body weight. LD50 was not determined as mortalities were not recorded in any of the five groups of chicken. For anticoccidial activity crude methanolic extract (CME) of the fruit peel of P. granatum showed the maximum effect as evident by oocyst output reduction (92.8 ± 15.3), weight gain of birds (1403.0 ± 11.9 g) and feed conversion ratio (1.66 ± 0.04), thereby affirming the presence of alcohol soluble active ingredients in the plant. We also tested different doses (100–400 mg/kg body weight) of the CME of the fruit peel of P. granatum, the most active extract on E. tenella and observed a dose dependent effect. From the present study it can be concluded that alcoholic extract of the fruit peel of P. granatum has significant potential to contribute to the control of coccidian parasites of chicken.

Concurrent infections associated with fowladenovirus in commercial broiler chicken

The objective of the present study was to find out the presence of concurrent viral infections associated with fowl adenovirus confirmed flock of commercial broiler birds. The liver samples were collected from 27 nos of FAdV confirmed commercial broiler farms. All the fowl adenovirus positive DNA was used to screen the Marek's disease virus (MDV), Avian leucosis virus (ALV), Reticular endothelial virus (REV) and Chicken infectious anaemia virus (CIAV). Out of 27 FAdV positive flocks, no flocks were positive for MDV and REV whereas 21 flocks (77%) were positive for ALV by PCR and 16 flocks (59%) were positive for CIAV by PCR. Though FAdV is a primary causative factor for IBH and HPS, the immunosuppression induced by ALV and CIAV plays a major role for aggravating the FAdV infection in broiler chicken. Further studies needed to elucidate the interaction of these viruses and their impact on the poultry health.

Evaluation of biological response modification and immunotherapeutic activities of barley-derived arabinoxylans against coccidiosis in commercial broilers

Plant-derived polysaccharides have been reported for diverse biological response modification (BRM) and immunotherapeutic (IT) activities in animals by activating their defense systems to perform better immunogenically against invading pathogens. Keeping this in view, this study was conducted to assess the BRM and IT activities of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.)-derived arabinoxylans (AXs) against coccidiosis in broilers. Significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) in vivo and in vitro lymphoproliferative responses to T-cell mitogens were revealed in broilers administered barley AXs when compared to the control group. Humoral immune response in terms of antibody titers against sheep erythrocytes was also found higher (P < 0.05) in AX-administered chickens. Furthermore, AX-administered chickens also showed higher weekly weight gains and improved feed conversion ratios as compared to controls. Results of the challenge experiment showed that the percentage of protection and daily weight gains were statistically higher (P < 0.05) whereas mean oocysts per gram of droppings and lesion scores were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the chickens administered barley AXs as compared to controls. In conclusion, barley-derived AXs led to better growth performance and elicited humoral and cellular immune responses in commercial broilers that persisted against coccidial infection in broiler chickens.

Efficacy of Probiotics on Health Status and Growth Performance of Eimeria tenella Infected Broiler Chickens

Efficacy of Probiotics on Health Status and Growth Performance of Eimeria tenella Infected Broiler Chickens

Prevalence of infection of broiler chickens with motile salmonellae

The results of a five-year epidemiological survey for the evaluation of motile salmonella infection in broiler chickens are reported in the present study. Three to four-week-old birds from 184 flocks, raised in several areas of Northern Greece, were examined bacteriologically. Fifty-five out of the 184 flocks were asymptomatic and the birds were presented for preventive examination, whereas the rest 129 flocks suffered from various diseases. Bacteriological examination of caecal contents from at least ten birds of each flock was performed. Samples from the viscera were also examined bacteriologically. Clinical signs and lesions - when present – were correlated with the isolation of salmonella in the flock. According to the results of this survey, 5.9-20% of the flocks were infected. Higher incidence was noticed in other European countries. Furthermore, no considerable difference in the incidence of infection between asymptomatic and diseased flocks was observed. In conclusion, salmonellae were more easily isolated from the caecal contents than from the viscera.

Selective Hematological, Biochemical and Pathological Alterations of Newcastle Virus in Naturally Infected and Vaccinated Broilers in Damietta Governorate of Egypt

Newcastle disease (ND) remains one of the most harmful poultry diseases that threaten the poultry industry producers all over the world, thus the present work was planned to investigate the hematological, biochemical, and pathological changes in vaccinated and non-vaccinated broiler chickens naturally infected with ND. The study was conducted on 45 broiler chickens, 35-days-old, from a private farm in Damietta governorate and used in this work, 15 chickens were clinically healthy (Group I), 30 chickens with ND symptoms divided into 15 non-vaccinated (Group II) and the other 15 chickens (Group III) were vaccinated with La Sota strain of NDV with a titre of 106.5 EID50. The disease was diagnosed by hem agglutination test as ND. Blood and tissue samples were collected for clinical-pathological and histopathological examination. The infected broiler chickens showed cyanosis, nasal discharge, edema of eyelid and white pasty diarrhea with nervous manifestations. Furthermore, microcytic hypochromic anemia with leukocytosis was observed. Biochemical studies revealed a significant decrease in serum total proteins, albumin and A/G ratio, with significant increases in serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and uric acid and glucose concentration in addition to several histological alterations were significantly seen in brain, intestine, liver and kidney of the infected birds. All these disturbances were less severe in the vaccinated group than the non-vaccinated one. In conclusion, La Sota vaccine can increase the bird resistant against Newcastle disease virus induced blood disorders and hepatic-renal insufficiency in broiler chickens.

The phylogenetics of Leucocytozoon caulleryi infecting broiler chickens in endemic areas in Indonesia.

Aim:The objective of this research was to determine the species and strains of Leucocytozoon caulleryi and study the phylogenetics of L. caulleryi of broiler chickens in endemic areas in Indonesia.Materials and Methods:Blood samples were collected from broiler chickens originated from endemic area in Indonesia, i.e., Pasuruan, Lamongan, Blitar, Lumajang, Boyolali, Purwokerto, and Banjarmasin in 2017. Collected blood was used for microscopic examination, sequencing using BLAST method to identify the nucleotide structure of cytochrome b (cyt b) gene that determines the species, and the phylogenetics analysis of L. caulleryi that infected broiler chickens in endemic areas in Indonesia, using Mega 5 software.Results:The results showed that Plasmodium sp. and L. caulleryi were infected broiler chickens in endemic areas in Indonesia. L. caulleryi in one area had very close phylogenetic relations with those in other areas. The genetic distance between L. caulleryi taxa from various endemic areas is very close (<5%).Conclusion:There is a very close phylogenetics among strains of L. caulleryi that infected broiler chickens in various endemic areas in Indonesia.

Influence of oral application of Enterococcus faecium AL41 on TGF-β4 and IL-17 expression and immunocompetent cell distribution in chickens challenged with Campylobacter jejuni.

Campylobacteriosis is mainly caused by infection with Campylobacter jejuni following consumption or handling of Campylobacter-contaminated poultry meat. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of probiotic Enterococcus faecium AL41 on TGF-β4 and IL-17 expression and on immunocompetent cell distribution after C. jejuni infection in broiler chicken, as a second part of the previous study of Karaffová et al. (2017). Accordingly, day-old chicks were randomly divided into four experimental groups of 10 chicks each (n = 10): control (C), E. faecium AL41 (EFAL41), C. jejuni CCM6191 (CJ), and combined E. faecium AL41 + C. jejuni CCM6191 (EFAL41 + CJ). Samples from the caecum were collected on days 4 and 7 post Campylobacter infection (dpi), for the isolation of mRNA of TGF-β4, IL-17 and for immunohistochemistry. The relative mRNA expression of TGF-β4 was upregulated in the combined (EFAL41 + CJ) group compared to other groups during both samplings, but the expression of IL-17 was downregulated. Similarly, the highest density of CD3+ was detected in the combined group at 7 dpi, but the number of IgA+ cells was increased in both groups with EFAL41. It was concluded that the EFAL41 probiotic E. faecium strain can modulate the expression of selected cytokines (upregulation of TGF-β4 but downregulation of IL-17 relative expression), and activate IgA-producing cells in the caeca of chicks infected with C. jejuni CCM6191.

029 Mitochondrial correlates of signaling processes involved with the cellular response to Eimeria infection in broiler chickens

029 Mitochondrial correlates of signaling processes involved with the cellular response to Eimeria infection in broiler chickens

Prevention of Escherichia coli infection in broiler chickens with Lactobacillus plantarum B1

Two studies were performed to assess the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum B1 in prevention of pathogenic Escherichia coli K88 gastrointestinal infection in broilers. In an in vitro study, L. plantarum B1 showed resistance to acid and bile and inhibited the growth of E. coli K88. Additionally, L. plantarum B1 exhibited high ability to adhere to broiler embryo ileal epithelium. In an animal trial, 240 broilers at 1 d of age were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatment arms: negative control (NC) broilers fed a basal diet and not challenged; positive control (PC) broilers fed a basal diet and challenged with E. coli K88; L. plantarum (LP) treatment broilers fed a basal diet containing 2 × 109 cfu/kg L. plantarum B1 and challenged with E. coli K88; and antibiotic treatment (Anti) broilers fed a basal diet supplemented with colistin sulfate (20 mg/kg) and challenged with E. coli K88. Broilers fed L. plantarum B1 had greater (P ≤ 0.05) BW than those in the PC treatment on d 14 and 28. Dietary L. plantarum B1 decreased (P < 0.05) E. coli counts in the cecal contents on d 10 and 14, and increased (P < 0.05) cecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on d 8, 10, 14, and 28 compared with the PC treatment. Dietary supplementation of L. plantarum B1 increased (P < 0.05) the ileal mucosal secretory IgA concentration and reduced (P < 0.05) IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in the ileum. Overall, these results suggest dietary supplementation of L. plantarum B1 promotes growth performance, lowers cecal E. coli counts, and increases the population of cecal LAB, as well as improves intestinal mucosal immunity in E. coli K88-challenged broilers.

The effect of garlic and neomycin supplementation in diet on productive and some blood parameters of experimentally infected broiler chickens with Salmonella typhimurium

The effect of garlic and neomycin supplementation in diet on productive and some blood parameters of experimentally infected broiler chickens with Salmonella typhimurium

In ovo evaluation of FloraMax®-B11 on Marek’s disease HVT vaccine protective efficacy, hatchability, microbiota composition, morphometric analysis, and Salmonella enteritidis infection in broiler chickens

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of in ovo administration of FloraMax®-B11 (FM) on Marek’s disease (MD) herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) vaccine protective efficacy, hatchability, microbiota composition, morphometric analysis, and Salmonella enteritidis (SE) infection in chickens. Experiment 1 consisted of 3 trials. In trials 1 and 2, d 18 White Leghorn 15I5 x71 embryos were randomly distributed in 4 groups: 1) HVT vaccinated in ovo and no Marek’s disease virus (MDV) challenge; 2), HVT + FM vaccinated in ovo and no MDV challenge; 3) HVT vaccinated in ovo and challenge with virulent MDV (vMDV; strain 583A); and 4), HVT + FM vaccinated in ovo and challenge with vMDV. Trial 3 was designed exactly the same as Experiment 1 but chicks were challenged with very virulent MDV (vvMDV; strains Md5 and 612). Birds were monitored until 8 wk of age, and tested for MD incidence. Experiment 2 consisted of 3 trials. In each trial, d 18 broiler embryos were injected in ovo with either saline or FM to measure hatchability and gastrointestinal bacterial composition. In Experiment 3, d 18 broiler embryos were injected in ovo with either saline or FM. All chickens that hatched were orally gavaged with SE at hatch and kept for 7 d to monitor post-hatch BW. No significant difference (P > 0.05) between MD percentage in birds vaccinated with HVT alone or HVT + FM were observed in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, probiotic did not negatively affect hatchability, but did reduce lactose positive Gram-negative bacteria. Further, increase in BW was associated with higher villi surface area in the ileum in chickens that received the probiotic as well as a significant reduction in the SE incidence in Experiment 3. These results suggest that in ovo administration of FM does not negatively impact the ability of HVT to protect against MD or hatchability of chickens, but improves BW during the first 7 d of life and decreases SE recovery in chickens.

Bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and tissue residues of cephradine (Atocef Forte®) in healthy and colisepticemic broiler chickens

The pharmacokinetics (after single intravenous and oral dose) and tissue residues (orally and daily for five days) of cephradine (20 mg/kg b.wt.) were investigated in healthy and experimentally E.coli infected broiler chickens. Following single intravenous injection to healthy chickens, cephradine obeyed a two compartments open model and the elimination half-life (t1/2β), volume of distribution (Vdss) and total body clearance (CLtot) of cephradine were 2.93 h, 321.5 ml/kg and 0.08 L/h/kg, respectively. Following single oral administration of cephradine to healthy chickens, the peak serum concentration (Cmax) of it was 26.7 µg/mL and achieved (Tmax) at 2.41 h. The oral bioavailability of cephradine was 87.7%. Cephradine was assayed in kidney, liver, heart, gizzard, spleen, breast muscle, thigh muscle and skin after 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h after last dose. On conclusion, cephradine is a good choice for treatment of colisepticemia in chickens due to its higher oral bioavailability and distribution.

Efficacy of colimox® (a new combination of amoxicillin and colistin) in the control of experimentally induced necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of amoxicillin and colistin either alone or in combination (colimox®) for control of experimentally induced C. perfringens infections in broiler chickens. Three hundred birds were used and divided into five groups (A, B, C, D and E, each of 60 bird). At the 14th day of age, birds in all groups (except group A) were inoculated orally with 0.5 mL of C. perfringens broth culture (109 CFU/mL). Two days later, drugs were orally administered once daily for five consecutive days as follow; Group A and B were left untreated. Group C, D and E were treated with amoxicillin (20 mg/kg b.wt), colistin (100000 IU /kg b.wt), colimox® (amoxicillin plus colistin), respectively. The efficacy of used drugs were determined on the basis of clinical symptoms, mortality rate, body weight, total feed consumption, feed conversion rate and scores of intestinal lesions. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of amoxicillin against C. perfringens was done by micro-broth dilution method and was ≤ 2 µg/mL. Efficacy results indicated that all used medications were effective (but with different degrees) in control of C. perfringens induced necrotic enteritis as expressed by significant (p&lt;0.05) reduction of clinical signs, mortalities and intestinal lesion scores as well as improving the performance parameters in broiler chickens, however colimox® was the superior. It could be concluded that combination of amoxicillin and colistin (colimox®) was of a considerable value in control of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens than using them separately.

Comparative efficacy of various feed additives on the resistance of broilers to experimentally-induced caecal coccidiosis

Summary Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of poultry that results in an increased morbidity and mortality. The resistance against coccidial drugs has urged the researchers to explore alternatives for disease control. Here, the effects of a prebiotic (Mannan-oligosaccharides), a probiotic mixture, neem ( Azadirachta indica) fruit powder and a commercial coccidiostat (diclazuril) were compared after coccidial infection in broiler chickens. A total of 250 day-old chicks were randomly divided into 5 treatment groups, which were fed on basal diet (control group), basal diet + 0.5% diclazuril (diclazuril group), basal diet + 0.1% probiotic (probiotic group), basal diet + 0.1% Mannan-oligosaccharides (prebiotic group) and basal diet + 0.3% neem fruit powder (neem group). on d 14 of the study, each bird was challenged with 10 4 viable sporulated E. tenella oocysts. The performance of broilers, oocyst per g (OPG) of faeces and caecal lesion score were determined.

The mRNA expression of amino acid and sugar transporters, aminopeptidase, as well as the di- and tri-peptide transporter PepT1 in the intestines of Eimeria infected broiler chickens

Coccidiosis in chickens is caused by infection of gut epithelial cells with protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria. This disease causes losses to the poultry industry since infected birds fail to gain weight as rapidly as non-infected birds and efficiency of feed conversion is compromised. For the present study the effect of Eimeria on expression of components of amino acid and sugar uptake mechanisms was determined. Broiler chicks were infected with Eimeria maxima, which infects the jejunum; Eimeria acervulina, which infects the duodenum; or Eimeria tenella, which infects the ceca. Sections of the jejunum, duodenum, and ceca (depending on species of Eimeria) were taken at several time points between d zero and 14 post infection (PI) for mRNA expression analysis. Genes examined included one digestive enzyme, 7 peptide and amino acid transporters located on the brush border, 8 transporters located at the basolateral surface of the gut epithelium, and 5 sugar transporters. All 3 Eimeria species examined caused decrease in expression of brush border transporters particularly at d 5 to 7 PI, which corresponds to the time when pathology is greatest. The same pattern was seen in expression of sugar transporters. However, the expression of basolateral transporters differed among species. Eimeria tenella infection resulted in decreased expression of all basolateral transporters, while E. maxima infection caused increased expression of 2 genes and slight decrease in expression of the remaining 5 genes. Infection with E. acervulina resulted in increased expression at the height of infection of all but one basolateral transporter. In conclusion, Eimeria infection causes a general decrease in gene expression of sugar transporter and brush border AATs at the height of infection. However the expression of basolateral transporters is increased in E. maxima and E. acervulina infected birds. It is possible that decreased expression of brush border transporters in combination with increased expression of basolateral transporters leads to decrease of nutrients available for the parasite, thus limiting parasite reproduction.

Anticoccidial activity of Artemisia vestita (Anthemideae, Asteraceae) - a traditional herb growing in the Western Himalayas, Kashmir, India.

Coccidiosis, caused by various species of genus Eimeria, is a major parasitic disease in chicken. The increasing resistance of these parasites to currently used anticoccidial drugs has stimulated the search for new methods of control. As part of this effort, a study was designed to see the anticoccidial effect of different solvent extracts of Artemisia vestita-a traditional herb growing in Kashmir Himalayas. The plant extracts were prepared using different solvents. Preliminary toxicity study was first carried out to see the safety of crude plant extracts. A high dose of crude extracts (300mg/kg body weight) was tested for possession of anticoccidial activity against experimentally induced coccidial infection in broiler chicken. Activity was measured in comparison to the reference drug amprolium on the basis of oocyst output reduction, mean weight gain of birds and feed conversion ratio. Oocyst output was measured using Mc-Masters counting technique. Preliminary toxicity study showed that crude extracts of A.vestita are safe up to dosage of 2000mg/kg body weight. LD50 was not determined as mortalities were not recorded in any of the five groups of chicken. For anticoccidial activity crude methanolic extract (CME) of A.vestita showed the maximum effect as evident by oocyst output reduction (71.5±12.2), weight gain of birds (1406.4±12.2) and feed conversion ratio (1.58±0.06), thereby affirming the presence of alcohol soluble active ingredients in the plant. We also tested different doses (100-400mg/kg body weight) of the CME of A.vestita, the most active extract on E.tenella and observed a dose dependent effect. From the present study it can be concluded that alcoholic extract of A.vestita has the immense potential to contribute to the control of coccidian parasites of chicken. Our results corroborate the use of genus Artemisia and could justify its use in folk medicine for treatment of parasitic diseases.