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Han L, Han X, Meng J, Yang J, Kang S, Lv X, Cui X, Li J, Liu W, Bai R. Silymarin effectively prevents and treats Eimeria tenella infection in chicks. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103909. [PMID: 38908118 PMCID: PMC11253652 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Silymarin, a botanical medicine derived from milk thistle seeds and is known to improve chicken growth and gut health when added to the feed. However, its role in the prevention and treatment of chicken coccidiosis remains unclear. This study investigated the efficacy of various doses of silymarin in preventing and treating Eimeria tenella infection in chicks. A total of 180 one-day-old specific pathogen-free chicks were randomized into six groups of 30 chicks each, no treatment (NC group); E. tenella infection (CC group); diclazuril medication during d 14 to 21 and E. tenella infection (DC group); and three groups infected with E. tenella and administered low, medium, or high doses of silymarin during d 12 to 21. All groups except NC were infected with E. tenella on d 14, with indicators observed on d 21. The growth performance was higher in the silymarin treated groups than that in the CC group, and the oocyst count per gram of manure, blood stool, and cecal lesion scores decreased. The medium-dose silymarin group exhibited the best treatment effect. Additionally, the silymarin groups displayed improved histological, morphology, and intestinal barrier integrity. The amounts of proinflammatory factors and harmful bacteria in the cecum were also reduced. Additionally, the activity of serum and cecal antioxidant enzymes, as well as the abundance of beneficial gut microbiota, increased in the cecum. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that silymarin can prevent and treat E. tenella infections. These data provide a scientific and conceptual basis for the development of a botanical dietary supplement from silymarin for the treatment and control of coccidiosis in chicks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixue Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, China
| | - Xiaoyi Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, China
| | - Jia Meng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, China
| | - Jin Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, China
| | - Shuning Kang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, China
| | - Xiaoling Lv
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, China
| | - Xiaozhen Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, China
| | - Jianhui Li
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, China
| | - Rui Bai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, China.
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Biabani N, Taherpour K, Ghasemi HA, Akbari Gharaei M, Hafizi M, Nazaran MH. Dietary advanced chelate technology-based 7-mineral supplement improves growth performance and intestinal health indicators during a mixed Eimeria challenge in broiler chickens. Vet Parasitol 2024; 331:110277. [PMID: 39094330 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
The health and productivity of broilers may be improved by optimizing the availability and levels of trace minerals (TM) in their feed, especially in the presence of parasites. This study investigated the effects of replacing inorganic TM (ITM) with an advanced chelate technology-based 7 TM (ACTM) on performance, hematology, lesion score, oocyst shedding, gut morphology, and tight junction structure in broilers challenged with mixed Eimeria species. There were 480 1-day-old broiler chickens divided into 5 groups: uninfected negative control and recommended levels of ITM (NC); infected positive control and recommended levels of ITM (PC); or PC supplemented with salinomycin (SAL); PC diet with 50 % ACTM instead of ITM (ACTM50); or PC diet with 100 % ACTM instead of ITM (ACTM100). All groups, except NC, were orally challenged with mixed Eimeria spp. oocysts on day 14. Each group had 6 replicate cages, with 16 birds per replicate. The results showed that the NC, SAL, and ACTM100 groups had higher (P < 0.05) body weight, average daily gain (ADG), and European production efficiency index (EPEI), as well as a lower (P < 0.05) feed conversion, mortality rate, and heterophile to lymphocyte ratio compared to the PC group, with the NC group having the highest ADG and EPEI throughout the experiment. The SAL and ACTM100 groups had lower (P < 0.05) intestinal lesion scores and oocyst numbers compared to the PC group, although all coccidiosis-challenged groups had higher oocyst shedding compared to the NC group. On day 24, the challenged birds in the SAL and ACTM100 groups had higher (P < 0.05) villus height and surface area in the duodenum and ileum, as well as a higher (P < 0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum. The expression levels of jejunal CLDN1 and ZO-1 were also higher (P < 0.05) in the ACTM100 and SAL groups compared to the PC and ACTM50 groups at 24 days of age. In conclusion, while using ACTM in broiler diets at 50 % of the commercial recommended levels maintained performance and physiological responses, complete replacement with ACTM improved growth performance and intestinal health characteristics, similar to salinomycin under Eimeria challenge conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Biabani
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran
| | - Kamran Taherpour
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran.
| | - Hossein Ali Ghasemi
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Arak University, Arak 38156-8-8349, Iran.
| | | | - Maryam Hafizi
- Department of Research and Development, Sodour Ahrar Shargh Company, Tehran, Iran
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Yu M, Li W, He X, He G, Yao Y, Wang Y, Shao M, Xiong T, Xu H, Zhao J. Metabarcoding of protozoa and helminth in black-necked cranes: a high prevalence of parasites and free-living amoebae. Parasite 2024; 31:28. [PMID: 38819296 PMCID: PMC11141520 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasites and free-living amoebae (FLA) are common pathogens that pose threats to wildlife and humans. The black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) is a near-threatened species and there is a shortage of research on its parasite diversity. Our study aimed to use noninvasive methods to detect intestinal parasites and pathogenic FLA in G. nigricollis using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) based on the 18S rDNA V9 region. A total of 38 fresh fecal samples were collected in Dashanbao, China, during the overwintering period (early-, middle I-, middle II-, and late-winter). Based on the 18S data, eight genera of parasites were identified, including three protozoan parasites: Eimeria sp. (92.1%) was the dominant parasite, followed by Tetratrichomonas sp. (36.8%) and Theileria sp. (2.6%). Five genera of helminths were found: Echinostoma sp. (100%), Posthodiplostomum sp. (50.0%), Euryhelmis sp. (26.3%), Eucoleus sp. (50.0%), and Halomonhystera sp. (2.6%). Additionally, eight genera of FLA were detected, including the known pathogens Acanthamoeba spp. (n = 13) and Allovahlkampfia spp. (n = 3). Specific PCRs were used to further identify the species of some parasites and FLA. Furthermore, the 18S data indicated significant changes in the relative abundance and genus diversity of the protozoan parasites and FLA among the four periods. These results underscore the importance of long-term monitoring of pathogens in black-necked cranes to protect this near-endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengshi Yu
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University Zhaotong 657000 PR China
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University Ya’an 625014 PR China
| | - Wenhao Li
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University Zhaotong 657000 PR China
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University Ya’an 625014 PR China
| | - Xin He
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences Chengdu 610000 PR China
| | - Guiwen He
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University Zhaotong 657000 PR China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Gastrodia and Fungi Symbiotic Biology, Zhaotong University Zhaotong 657000 PR China
| | - Yonfang Yao
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University Ya’an 625014 PR China
| | - Yuanjian Wang
- Management Bureau of Dashanbao Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province Zhaotong 657000 Yunnan PR China
| | - Mingcui Shao
- Management Bureau of Dashanbao Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province Zhaotong 657000 Yunnan PR China
| | - Tingsong Xiong
- Management Bureau of Dashanbao Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province Zhaotong 657000 Yunnan PR China
| | - Huailiang Xu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University Ya’an 625014 PR China
| | - Junsong Zhao
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University Zhaotong 657000 PR China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Gastrodia and Fungi Symbiotic Biology, Zhaotong University Zhaotong 657000 PR China
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Goo D, Ko H, Sharma MK, Choppa VSR, Paneru D, Shi H, Kim WK. Comparison of necrotic enteritis effects on growth performance and intestinal health in two different meat-type chicken strains Athens Canadian Random Bred and Cobb 500. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103599. [PMID: 38479098 PMCID: PMC10950882 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Chickens have undergone genetic improvements in the past few decades to maximize growth efficiency. However, necrotic enteritis (NE), an enteric disease primarily caused by C. perfringens, remains a significant problem in poultry production. A study investigated the differences in intestinal health between the nonselected meat-type chicken Athens Canadian Random Bred (ACRB) and the modern meat-type Cobb 500 broilers (Cobb) when challenged with experimental NE. The study utilized a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, consisting of two main effects of chicken strain and NE challenge model (nonchallenged control, NC; NE challenge with 2,500/12,500 Eimeria maxima oocysts + 1 × 109C. perfringens, NE2.5/NE12.5). A total of 432 fourteen-day-old male ACRB and Cobb were used until 22 d (8 d postinoculation with E. maxima on d 14, dpi), and the chickens were euthanized on 6 and 8 dpi for the analysis. All data were statistically analyzed using a two-way ANOVA, and Student's t-test or Tukey's HSD test was applied when P < 0.05. The NE12.5 group showed significant decreases in growth performance and relative growth performance from d 14 to 20, regardless of chicken strain (P < 0.01). The ACRB group exhibited significant decreases in relative body weight and relative body weight gain compared to the Cobb group from d 14 to 22 (P < 0.01). On 6 and 8 dpi, both NE challenge groups showed significant decreases in intestinal villus height to crypt depth ratio, jejunal goblet cell count, and jejunal MUC2 and LEAP2 expression (P < 0.01). Additionally, the NE12.5 group had significantly higher intestinal NE lesion score, intestinal permeability, fecal E. maxima oocyst count, intestinal C. perfringens count, and jejunal IFNγ and CCL4 expression compared to the NC group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, NE negatively impacts growth performance and intestinal health in broilers, parameters regardless of the strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doyun Goo
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Hanseo Ko
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Milan Kumar Sharma
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | | | - Deependra Paneru
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Hanyi Shi
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Woo Kyun Kim
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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Mousa MR, Attia MM, Salem HM, Al-Hoshani N, Thabit H, Ibrahim MA, Albohiri HH, Khan SA, El-Saadony MT, El-Tarabily KA, El-Saied MA. Coinfection of the gut with protozoal and metazoal parasites in broiler and laying chickens. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103227. [PMID: 38041891 PMCID: PMC10731381 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The chicken business faces substantial economic losses due to the risk of parasitic coinfection. Because the current study aimed to investigate enteric parasitic coinfections problems among the suspected examined chicken farms, samples were collected during the field investigation from suspected freshly dead birds, clinically diseased, apparently healthy, and litter samples for further laboratory parasitological, histopathological, and immunological examinations. Variable mortalities with various clinical indicators, such as ruffled feathers, weight loss, diarrhea of various colors, and a decline in egg production, occurred on the farms under investigation. In addition, the treatment protocols of each of the farms that were evaluated were documented and the m-RNA levels of some cytokines and apoptotic genes among the infected poultry have been assessed. The prevalence rate of parasitic coinfection in the current study was found to be 8/120 (6.66%). Parasitological analysis of the samples revealed that they belonged to distinct species of Eimeria, cestodes, and Ascaridia galli. When deposited, A. galli eggs were nonembryonated and ellipsoidal, but cestodes eggs possessed a thin, translucent membrane that was subspherical. Eimeria spp. oocysts in layer chickens were identified as Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria maxima in broiler chickens. Our findings proved that coinfection significantly upregulated the IL-1β, BAX, and Cas-3 genes. Conversely, the IL-10, BCL-2, and AKT mRNA levels were downregulated, indicating that nematode triggered apoptosis. The existence of parasite coinfection was verified by histological investigation of the various intestinal segments obtained from affected flocks. A. galli and cestodes obstructed the intestinal lumen, causing different histological alternations in the intestinal mucosa. Additionally, the lamina propria revealed different developmental stages of Eimeria spp. It was determined that parasite coinfection poses a significant risk to the poultry industry. It was recommended that stringent sanitary measures management methods, together with appropriate treatment and preventative procedures, be employed in order to resolve such issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed R Mousa
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Marwa M Attia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Heba M Salem
- Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Nawal Al-Hoshani
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hasnaa Thabit
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Marwa A Ibrahim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Haleema H Albohiri
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samar Ahmad Khan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed T El-Saadony
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt
| | - Khaled A El-Tarabily
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Mohamed A El-Saied
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
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Mi Y, Ding W, Xu L, Lu M, Yan R, Li X, Song X. Protective Efficacy Induced by the Common Eimeria Antigen Elongation Factor 2 against Challenge with Three Eimeria Species in Chickens. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 12:18. [PMID: 38250831 PMCID: PMC10819859 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian coccidiosis arises from co-infection involving multiple Eimeria species, which could give rise to substantial economic losses in the global poultry industry. As a result, multivalent anticoccidial vaccines containing common Eimeria antigens offer considerable promise for controlling co-infection in clinical practice. In our previous study, Elongation factor 2 (EF2) was deemed as an immunogenic common antigen across various Eimeria species. This current investigation aimed to further assess the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of EF2 in recombinant subunit vaccine format against three Eimeria species. The EF2 gene cloned from Eimeria maxima (E. maxima) cDNA was designated as EF2 of E. maxima (EmEF2). The immunogenicity of the recombinant protein EmEF2 (rEmEF2) was assessed through Western blot analysis. The evaluation of the vaccine-induced immune response encompassed the determination of T lymphocyte subset proportions, cytokine mRNA transcription levels, and specific IgY concentrations in rEmEF2-vaccinated chickens using flow cytometry, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Subsequently, the protective efficacy of rEmEF2 was evaluated through vaccination and challenge experiments. The findings demonstrated that rEmEF2 was effectively recognized by the His-tag monoclonal antibody and E. maxima chicken antiserum. Vaccination with rEmEF2 increased the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, elevated IL-4 and IFN-γ mRNA transcription levels, and enhanced IgY antibody levels compared to the control groups. Moreover, compared to the control groups, vaccination with rEmEF2 led to decreased weight loss, reduced oocyst outputs, and alleviated enteric lesions. Furthermore, in the rEmEF2-immunized groups, challenges with E. maxima and E. acervulina resulted in anticoccidial index (ACI) scores of 166.35 and 185.08, showing moderate-to-excellent protective efficacy. Nevertheless, challenges with E. tenella and mixed Eimeria resulted in ACI scores of 144.01 and 127.94, showing low protective efficacy. In conclusion, EmEF2, a common antigen across Eimeria species, demonstrated the capacity to induce a significant cellular and humoral immune response, as well as partial protection against E. maxima, E. acervulina, and E. tenella. These results highlight EmEF2 as a promising candidate antigen for the development of multivalent vaccines targeting mixed infections by Eimeria species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xiaokai Song
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Y.M.); (W.D.); (L.X.); (M.L.); (R.Y.); (X.L.)
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