Dietary supplementation with bacteriophages or acidifiers mitigates <i>Salmonella Enteritidis</i> challenge effects in broilers by altering intestinal bacterial populations and morphology.
Bacteriophage supplementation may help improve gut health and mitigate the effects of Salmonella Enteritidis in poultry, but results may not be applicable to humans.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the thymogen (thymagen) corpusSummary and findings
This study evaluated the effects of dietary bacteriophage and acidifier supplementation on growth performance, immune response, gut microbiota, intestinal morphology, and meat quality in broilers challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis. A total of 700 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were used, with various dietary treatments including a non-challenged control and several challenged groups. Results indicated that supplementation significantly alleviated negative effects from the Salmonella challenge.
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the poultry industry necessitates the development of alternative strategies to control bacterial diseases such as salmonellosis caused by <i>Salmonella Enteritidis</i> (<i>S. Enteritidis).</i> This study evaluated the effects of dietary bacteriophage and acidifier supplementation on growth performance, immune response, gut microbiota, intestinal morphology, and meat quality in broilers challenged with <i>S. Enteritidis</i>. A total of 700 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with seven replicates of 20 birds each: a non-challenged negative control (CON), a <i>Salmonella Enteritidis</i>-challenged positive control (PC), and three additional challenged groups receiving diets supplemented with enrofloxacin, bacteriophage, or acidifier. On day 13, all groups except CON were orally challenged with <i>S. Enteritidis</i> (1 × 10⁸ CFU/mL). <i>Salmonella</i> infection markedly impaired feed intake, body weight, feed efficiency, and breast meat quality compared with the CON group (P < 0.05). Supplementation with bacteriophage or acidifier significantly alleviated these negative effects and reduced malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.05), while also increasing the activities of plasma antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, compared with the challenged control group. Bacteriophage supplementation restored duodenal villus height and crypt depth and maintained cecal pH close to control values (P < 0.05). Quantitative PCR indicated higher populations of <i>Lactobacillus</i> and <i>Bifidobacterium</i> and reduced <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in the cecum. Overall, bacteriophage supplementation mitigated the detrimental effects of <i>S. Enteritidis</i> by improving gut health, antioxidant status, and meat quality, highlighting its potential to enhance poultry health and productivity in antibiotic-free production systems.
Background
The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the poultry industry necessitates alternative strategies to control bacterial diseases like salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Enteritidis. Prior research has indicated that dietary interventions can influence gut health and disease resistance in poultry. This study aims to explore the effects of bacteriophages and acidifiers on broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis, which is critical for developing antibiotic-free production systems.
Methods
A total of 700 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with seven replicates of 20 birds each. The treatments included a non-challenged negative control, a Salmonella Enteritidis-challenged positive control, and three additional challenged groups receiving diets supplemented with enrofloxacin, bacteriophage, or acidifier. On day 13, all groups except the control were orally challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis (1 × 10⁸ CFU/mL).
Results
Salmonella infection markedly impaired feed intake, body weight, feed efficiency, and breast meat quality compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Supplementation with bacteriophage or acidifier significantly alleviated these negative effects. Bacteriophage supplementation restored duodenal villus height and crypt depth and maintained cecal pH close to control values (P < 0.05). Quantitative PCR indicated higher populations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and reduced Salmonella spp. in the cecum.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that bacteriophage supplementation can mitigate the detrimental effects of Salmonella Enteritidis on gut health and meat quality in broilers. While the results are statistically significant, the clinical relevance in terms of practical application in poultry farming remains to be fully established. Limitations such as the study's focus on a single species and specific age group may affect the generalizability of the results.
Key findings
- P < 0.05 for impaired feed intake, body weight, feed efficiency, and breast meat quality compared with the CON group.
- Bacteriophage supplementation restored duodenal villus height and crypt depth (P < 0.05).
- Higher populations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and reduced Salmonella spp. in the cecum.
- Malondialdehyde levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05).
- Increased activities of plasma antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, compared with the challenged control group.
Limitations
- small n=700 chicks
- single species focus (Ross 308)
- short follow-up after challenge
- specific age group may limit generalizability