Use of Defined Competitive Exclusion Cultures to Enhance Colonization Resistance to Enteric Pathogens

During the past several years our laboratory has conducted research towards developing defined competitive exclusion cultures that enhance colonization resistance against salmonellae in baby chicks. Previously in our laboratory it was shown that 10-day-old broiler and layer chicks that were fed diets containing 5-10% lactose provided either in the feed or in water from day-of-hatch were significantly more resistant to Salmonella typhimurium, and S. enteritidis cecal colonization than control chicks not provided a diet supplemented with lactose. Additionally, resistance against salmonellae cecal colonization was further enhanced in treatment groups provided dietary lactose in combination with an undefined mixture of anaerobic bacteria (i.e. undefined competitive exclusion culture or Nurmi culture) originally obtained from the ceca of adult broiler chickens maintained on a diet containing lactose. In order to make a defined competitive exclusion culture that was efficacious in enhancing colonization resistance against salmonellae, we cultured cecal contents obtained from adult broilers maintained on a unmedicated diet containing 5% lactose in a continuous-flow (CF) culture apparatus (i.e. chemostat), that was maintained at parameters that would best represent the cecal environment

T-2 toksin - pojavnost i toksičnost u peradi

T-2 toxin is the most toxic type A trichothecene mycotoxin. It is the secondary metabolite of the Fusarium fungi, and is common in grain and animal feed. Toxic effects have been shown both in experimental animals and in livestock. It has been implicated in several outbreaks of human mycotoxicoses. Toxic effects in poultry include inhibition of protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis, cytotoxicity, immunomodulation, cell lesions in the digestive tract, organs and skin, neural disturbances and low performance in poultry production (decreased weight gain, egg production, and hatchability). Concentrations of T-2 toxin in feed are usually low, and its immunosuppressive effects and secondary infections often make diagnosis difficult. If at the onset of the disease, a change in diet leads to health and performance improvements in animals, this may point to mycotoxin poisoning. Regular control of grain and feed samples is a valuable preventive measure, and it is accurate only if representative samples are tested. This article reviews the incidence and toxic effects of T-2 toxin in poultry.T-2 toksin je najtoksičniji predstavnik trikotecenskih mikotoksina tipa A. On je sekundarni produkt metabolizma plijesni roda Fusarium i često je prisutan u žitaricama i hrani za životinje. Štetni učinci uočeni su u eksperimentalnih životinja i životinja u uzgoju. On se povezuje s pojavom bolesti ljudi od mikotoksikoza. Učinci toksina u peradi su višestruki: inhibicija sinteze proteina, DNA i RNA, citotoksični učinak, imunomodulatorni učinak, oštećenje stanica probavnog sustava, organa i kože, živčani poremećaji te pad proizvodnih karakteristika u uzgoju peradi (slabiji prirast, pad nesivosti i valivosti). Koncentracije T-2 toksina u hrani redovito su vrlo malene, a zbog imunosupresivnog djelovanja toksina te istodobne sekundarne infekcije bolest se često teško dijagnosticira. Pri pojavi bolesti promjenom hrane može doći do poboljšanja zdravstvenog stanja, što tako|er upućuje na moguće trovanje mikotoksinima. Redovita kontrola uzoraka žitarica i hrane za životinje jedna je od preventivnih mjera, a detekcija mikotoksina u žitaricama i hrani pouzdana je samo ako se ispituje reprezentativan uzorak. U radu su opisani učestalost i toksični učinci T-2 toksina u peradi

Use of Defined Competitive Exclusion Cultures to Enhance Colonization Resistance to Enteric Pathogens

During the past several years our laboratory has conducted research towards developing defined competitive exclusion cultures that enhance colonization resistance against salmonellae in baby chicks. Previously in our laboratory it was shown that 10-day-old broiler and layer chicks that were fed diets containing 5-10% lactose provided either in the feed or in water from day-of-hatch were significantly more resistant to Salmonella typhimurium, and S. enteritidis cecal colonization than control chicks not provided a diet supplemented with lactose. Additionally, resistance against salmonellae cecal colonization was further enhanced in treatment groups provided dietary lactose in combination with an undefined mixture of anaerobic bacteria (i.e. undefined competitive exclusion culture or Nurmi culture) originally obtained from the ceca of adult broiler chickens maintained on a diet containing lactose. In order to make a defined competitive exclusion culture that was efficacious in enhancing colonization resistance against salmonellae, we cultured cecal contents obtained from adult broilers maintained on a unmedicated diet containing 5% lactose in a continuous-flow (CF) culture apparatus (i.e. chemostat), that was maintained at parameters that would best represent the cecal environment.</p

Monensin Toxicosis in Broiler Chickens

Chickens treated at seven weeks of age with 150, 200, or 250 mg of crystalline monensin sodium/kg body weight had signs of toxicosis, including extreme weakness, anorexia, paralysis and death. Gross lesions included emaciation, generalized congestion, myocardial enlargement and pallor, and hydropericardium. Samples of ventricular myocardium, superficial pectoralis (white fibers), anterior latissimus dorsi (intermediate fibers), and sartorius muscles (mixed red, intermediate, and white fibers) were examined by light microscope. Intermyofibrillar vacuolation, histochemically positive for neutral fat, was severe in the myocardium and red muscle fibers and moderate in the intermediate muscle fibers. Myofiber necrosis was limited to the red muscle fibers. Mitochondrial degeneration was apparent in myocardial sections from several chickens. Interstitial infiltration by macrophages and heterophils was common in the myocardium and aerobic skeletal muscle. </jats:p

Testicular Degeneration and Necrosis Induced by Dietary Cobalt

Dietary cobalt (265 ppm Co) induced polycythemia and consistent degenerative and necrotic lesions in the seminiferous tubules of rats. Cyanosis and engorgement of testicular vasculature on day 35 and thereafter was followed on day 70 by degenerative and necrotic changes in the germinal epithelium and Sertoli cells. Spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and round spermatids were markedly affected, while elongated spermatids, spermatozoa, and Sertoli cells were more resistant. Damaged tubules, often present side by side with normal tubules, contained multinucleated giant cells composed of degenerated and necrotic spermatocytes and/or spermatids, sloughed germinal and Sertoli cells, and calcified necrotic debris. Necrotic tubules were frequently collapsed and devoid of epithelium except for occasional spermatogonia and surviving Sertoli cells. Lesions were not observed in the Leydig cells, cauda epididymis or seminal vesicles. </jats:p

Comparison of Two Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate Compounds to Experimentally Protect Growing Barrows from Aflatoxicosis

Two formulations of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS-1 and HSCAS-3), anti-caking agents for mixed feed, were added to the diets of growing barrows and were evaluated for their potential to diminish the clinical signs of aflatoxicosis. The experimental design consisted of 8 barrows (2 replicates of 4 each/treatment) assigned to 1 of the following 6 treatment diets (total of 48): 1) 0 g of HSCAS-1 or HSCAS-3 and 0 mg of aflatoxin (AF)/kg of feed (control); 2) 5 g HSCAS-1/kg of feed; 3) 5 g HSCAS-3/kg of feed; 4) 3 mg AF/kg of feed; 5) 3 mg AF plus 5 g HSCAS-1/kg of feed; or 6) 3 mg AF plus 5 g HSCAS-3/kg of feed. Barrows were maintained in indoor concrete-floored pens, with feed and water -available for 28 days (from 8 to 12 weeks of age). Barrows were observed twice daily and weighed weekly, and blood samples were collected at day 28 for hematologic, immunologic, and serum biochemical measurements. At the termination of the study, barrows were euthanized and necropsied. Barrow body weight gains were diminished, compared to those of controls, by consumption of AF alone and both of the AF plus HSCAS diets; however, the AF plus HSCAS-1 and AF plus HSCAS-3 barrow body weight gains were significantly greater ( P &lt; 0.05) than those of the AF-alone barrows, No toxic responses or performance differences were noticed for barrows consuming either of the HSCAS-alone diets. Serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, calcium, cholesterol, albumin, triglycerides, and urea nitrogen were altered in barrows of the AF-alone treatment. The use of HSCAS prevented most but not all of the AF-induced changes in biochemical values. Immunologic measurements that were adversely affected by AF included mitogen-induced lymphoblastogenesis and peritoneal macrophage activity and function. The addition of HSCAS to AF-contaminated diets protected barrows from some of these toxic changes. Although immunologic measurements in the AF plus HSCAS groups were significantly different than those of the AF-alone group, values were still not equivalent to those of controls. These findings suggest that HSCAS-1 and HSCAS-3 are equal in their ability to protect against the toxicity of AF. Although these compounds may offer a novel approach to the preventive management of aflatoxicosis in livestock and poultry, HSCAS is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of animal diets for prevention of mycotoxicosis. </jats:p