Disinfection by hydrogen peroxide nebulization increases susceptibility to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

Abstract

BackgroundAvian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) are the major cause of economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Traditionally, antibiotics are used to treat and prevent colibacillosis in broilers. Due to resistance development other ways of preventing/treating the disease have to be found. Therefore during this study the nebulization of low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was tested in the presence of chickens to lower pathogenicity of APEC.ResultsSignificantly higher total lesion scores and higher E. coli concentrations were found in the spleen of chickens exposed to 2 % H2O2 compared to those exposed to 1 % H2O2 and control chickens which had been exposed to nebulization with distilled water. Higher total lesions scores and E. coli concentrations in the spleen were found in chickens exposed to 1 % H2O2 in comparison to control chickens (not significant).ConclusionH2O2 is rendering animals more prone to APEC infection contraindicating H2O2 nebulization in the presence of chickens.

L‑histidine augments the oxidative damage against Gram‑negative bacteria by hydrogen peroxide

“…However, H 2 O 2 is a highly reactive oxidizing agent and has genotoxic effects. Oosterik et al (45) reported that nebulization of 2% H 2 O 2 renders chickens more susceptible to avian pathogenic E. coli, potentially due to epithelial damage by hydroxyl radicals. The simultaneous use of L-histidine may decrease the H 2 O 2 concentration necessary to eradicate Gram-negative pathogens.…”

A systematic review on the role of biosecurity to prevent or control colibacillosis in broiler production

“…During the title and abstract screening, 2,234 records were excluded as not complying with the inclusion criteria (96.8%), while 74 records passed to the full text screening phase. Ultimately, only 4 studies were included as fitting the inclusion criteria ( Oosterik et al, 2015 ; Gholami-Ahangaran et al, 2016 ; Li et al, 2018 ; Graham et al, 2021 ).

Figure 1 Flow diagram according to PRISMA guidelines showing the selection process for the systematic review on biosecurity to prevent or control colibacillosis in broiler production.

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“…Of the studies included, 3 were randomized controlled trials ( RCTs ) in which animals were challenged with E. coli ( Oosterik et al, 2015 ; Li et al, 2018 ; Graham et al, 2021 ), and one was a RCT with natural disease exposure ( Gholami-Ahangaran et al, 2016 ).…”

“…All the studies were performed after 2010 and were carried out in Canada ( Li et al, 2018 ), USA ( Graham et al, 2021 ), Belgium ( Oosterik et al, 2015 ), and Iran ( Gholami-Ahangaran et al, 2016 ) in both commercial ( Oosterik et al, 2015 ) and experimental flocks ( Li et al, 2018 ; Graham et al, 2021 ). One study focused on chicks only ( Oosterik et al, 2015 ) while the other 3 ( Gholami-Ahangaran et al, 2016 , Li et al, 2018 , Graham et al, 2021 ) focused on eggs (hatching period) and, subsequently, on hatched chicks. Mortality (either embryo or chick) and FCR were the 2 outcomes studied in the selected trials.…”

“…groups Population studied Outcome studied Gholami-Ahangaran et al, 2016 Iran English RCT ND ND ND 3 Eggs and chicks Mortality and FCR Graham et al . , 2021 United States English RCT Ross 308 Experimental flock ND 4 (two experiments) Eggs and chicks Mortality Li et al, 2018 Canada English RCT Ross 308 Experimental flock Mixed 3 Eggs and chicks Mortality and FCR Oosterik et al, 2015 Belgium English RCT Ross Commercial flock ND 2 Chicks Mortality …”