Novel multi-strain probiotics reduces Pasteurella multocida induced fowl cholera mortality in broilers

Abstract

Pasteurella multocida causes fowl cholera, a highly contagious poultry disease of global concern, causing significant ecological and economic challenges to the poultry industry each year. This study evaluated the effects of novel multi-strain probiotics consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum, L. fermentum, Pediococcus acidilactici, Enterococcus faecium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, haemato-biochemical parameters and anti-inflammatory properties on broilers experimentally challenged with P. multocida. A total of 120 birds were fed with a basal diet supplemented with probiotics (10⁸ CFU/kg) and then orally challenged with 10⁸ CFU/mL of P. multocida. Probiotics supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) improved growth performance and feed efficiency as well as reducing (P < 0.05) the population of intestinal P. multocida, enterobacteria, and mortality. Haemato-biochemical parameters including total cholesterol, white blood cells (WBC), proteins, glucose, packed cell volume (PCV) and lymphocytes improved (P < 0.05) among probiotic fed birds when compared with the controls. Transcriptional profiles of anti-inflammatory genes including hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF) stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) and prostaglandin E receptor 2 (PTGER2) in the intestinal mucosa were upregulated (P < 0.05) in probiotics fed birds. The dietary inclusion of the novel multi-strain probiotics improves growth performance, feed efficiency and intestinal health while attenuating inflammatory reaction, clinical signs and mortality associated with P. multocida infection in broilers.

Figure 1

Symptoms in Pasteurella multocida challenged groups supplemented with antibiotic (PC+) and control (NC+); (A) Yellowish-grey diarrhoea appeared on the cloaca, (B) Yellowish-grey diarrhoea appeared on the cloaca and littered, (C) Depression and isolation, (D) Moribund, lameness and ruffled feathers, (E) Healthy and active probiotics supplemented broilers challenged with Pasteurella multocida (Pro+), (F) Healthy and active probiotics supplemented broilers challenged with Pasteurella multocida (Pro+).

Figure 2

Schematic illustration of the experimental design. Birds were fed basal diet all through the experiment. Treatment groups included: NC−: unchallenged negative control; PC−: unchallenged positive control; Pro−: unchallenged probiotics control; Pro+: challenged probiotic control; PC+: challenged positive control; NC+: challenged negative control. BWG body weight gain, FCR feed conversion ratio, FI feed intake, GCCA gut content and carcass analysis, HBA haemato-biochemical analysis.