Avian leukosis virus subgroup J infection influencing composition of gut microbiota within chicken

Abstract

Background: Avian leukosis virus (ALV) is a major cause of disease in poultry. Probiotics play a critical role in animal health maintenance. Studies have indicated that viral infection can alter the composition of the chicken gut microbiota. We hypothesized that ALV-J infection alters the probiotics composition in chicken fecal bacterial microbiome. We performed high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing and evaluated the gut microbiota profiles using feces from ALV-J-infected and healthy chickens. Results: The relative abundance at the phylum and species levels was calculated. The phylum Proteobacteria was more abundant in ALV-J-infected chickens than in healthy chickens. Additionally, the abundance of the opportunistic pathogen, Propionibacterium acnes, was significantly increased in ALV-J-infected chickens. Interestingly, ALV-J infection tended to be significantly decreased by the probiotics Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus reuteri. Conclusions: The study indicates that ALV-J infection significantly altered the gut microbiota distribution in chickens. Additionally, ALV-J infection significantly influenced the abundance of L. helveticus and L. reuteri in the chicken gut.

Unveiling the Potential Ways to Apply Citrus Oil to Control Causative Agents of Pullorum Disease and Fowl Typhoid in Floor Materials

“…To verify its effect on normal poultry gut microbiota, the growth of several common poultry gut microbes in the presence of effective concentrations of CO was assessed. The study determined that the same concentration of CO also affected L. helveticus , E. faecalis , S. thermophilus , which are part of the normal gut flora in chickens [ 36 , 37 , 38 ], and E. coli Nissle, a beneficial bacterium for the chicken gut [ 39 ]. The broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity observed against both pathogenic and beneficial bacteria suggests a need for caution in direct oral application.…”