Influence of Pediococcus-Based Probiotic on Coccidiosis in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Coccidiosis is the major parasitic disease of poultry and is caused by the apicomplexan parasites Eimeria. Drugs and live vaccines are the 2 main control measures of the disease; however, due to increasing concerns with prophylactic drug use and the high cost of vaccines, alternative control methods are needed. Recent evidence that various dietary and live microbial supplements can influence host immunity against enteric diseases prompted us to investigate the role of a Pediococcus-based probiotic on coccidiosis in broiler chickens. In the present study, we examined BW gains, oocyst shedding, and antibody responses of broilers fed the commercial probiotic MitoGrow. Day-old chicks were fed either a regular broiler diet or 1 of 2 probiotic diets supplemented with 0.1% (MG 0.1) or 0.2% MitoGrow. Chicks were orally challenged with 5,000 or 10,000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina or with 5,000 Eimeria tenella oocysts on d 10 or 12 of age, respectively. In E. acervulina-infected birds, the MG 0.1 group improved (P < 0.05) weight gain as compared with the other 2 groups and reduced (P < 0.05) oocyst shedding in birds infected with 5,000 E. acervulina oocysts. In E. tenella-infected birds, Eimeria-specific antibody levels were higher (P < 0.05) in the Mito-Grow-fed groups, especially in the MG 0.1 birds, compared with the regular diet group, although their oocyst shedding and weight gains were not clearly improved. These results demonstrate that this Pediococcus acidilactici-based probiotic effectively enhances the resistance of birds and partially protects against the negative growth effects associated with coccidiosis, particularly when supplemented at 0.1% MitoGrow of the diet.

Coccidiosis: recent advancements in the immunobiology of Eimeria species, preventive measures, and the importance of vaccination as a control tool against these Apicomplexan parasites

“…9,[36][37][38] However, a serious problem that has surfaced with extensive use of drugs is resistance; this problem needs immediate attention. 7,10,39 The protective effects of sulfonamides have been evaluated extensively and used as the first effective anticoccidial agents. 39 In 1939, Levine 40 first reported the use of sulfanilamide against coccidiosis, and it was hypothesized that these compounds helped the bird acquire immunity against coccidiosis.…”

“…Oocyst shedding dropped by 14% in the probiotic-treated chicks, with a concomitant increase in the proinflammatory cytokine IFN-γ 3 days postinoculation, suggesting the potential immunomodulatory activities of probiotics. 45 Similarly, Lee et al 10 looked at the protective effects of a Pediococcus-based probiotic (MitoGrow ® ;…”

“…7 Therefore, to economize production and confer long-term disease protection, alternative and sustainable methods of prevention are constantly being sought. [8][9][10] Clinical signs and gross intestinal lesions of coccidiosis are characteristics and are often observed in chickens as hemorrhagic diarrhea caused by E. tenella, whereas in turkeys, the signs and lesions are neither pathognomonic nor common, despite the presence of numerous parasites. 3,6 Coccidiosis in poultry is complex because of the ability of parasites to interact with various other pathogens, such as Salmonella, Clostridium, and certain viruses causing disease that is mostly multifactorial.…”

Potencial bioterapêutico dos probióticos nas parasitoses intestinais

“…Os autores relacionaram essa menor atividade ao fato de as aves terem sido inoculadas com uma dose duas vezes maior de oocistos de E. acervulina. A influência da dose de oocistos sobre o grau de proteção conferido pela administração de próbióticos foi também constatada recentemente por LEE et al (2007). Os autores investigaram o efeito da administração de um probiótico comercial à base de Pediococcus acidilactici (MitoGrow, Imagilin Technology LLC) em infecções experimentais por E. acervulina e E. tenella, nas quais as aves foram inoculadas com 5.000 ou 10.000 oocistos.…”

Diferentes estratégias do uso de sorgo para frangos de corte: desempenho e saúde intestinal

“…O gênero Pediococcus, também membro da família Lactobacillaceae, foi maior em aves alimentadas com sorgo inteiro em relação aquelas alimentadas com sorgo moído. Este gênero geralmente traz benefícios para as aves, sendo a espécie Pediococcus acidlactici utilizada como probiótico, melhorando o desempenho dos frangos de corte, mesmo frente a desafios de coccidiose (LEE et al, 2007;TAHERI et al, 2010).…”