1
|
Camargo A, Ramírez JD, Kiu R, Hall LJ, Muñoz M. Unveiling the pathogenic mechanisms of Clostridium perfringens toxins and virulence factors. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2341968. [PMID: 38590276 PMCID: PMC11057404 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2341968] [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: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens causes multiple diseases in humans and animals. Its pathogenic effect is supported by a broad and heterogeneous arsenal of toxins and other virulence factors associated with a specific host tropism. Molecular approaches have indicated that most C. perfringens toxins produce membrane pores, leading to osmotic cell disruption and apoptosis. However, identifying mechanisms involved in cell tropism and selective toxicity effects should be studied more. The differential presence and polymorphisms of toxin-encoding genes and genes encoding other virulence factors suggest that molecular mechanisms might exist associated with host preference, receptor binding, and impact on the host; however, this information has not been reviewed in detail. Therefore, this review aims to clarify the current state of knowledge on the structural features and mechanisms of action of the major toxins and virulence factors of C. perfringens and discuss the impact of genetic diversity of toxinotypes in tropism for several hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anny Camargo
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Boyacá, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Raymond Kiu
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Gut Microbes and Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Lindsay J. Hall
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Gut Microbes and Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Instituto de Biotecnología-UN (IBUN), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shamshirgaran MA, Golchin M. Necrotic enteritis in chickens: a comprehensive review of vaccine advancements over the last two decades. Avian Pathol 2024:1-46. [PMID: 39190009 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2024.2398028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a severe gastrointestinal disease that poses a significant threat to poultry, leading to progressive deterioration of the small intestine, reduced performance, and increased mortality rates, causing economic losses in the poultry industry. The elimination of antimicrobial agents from chicken feed has imposed a need to explore alternative approaches for NE control, with vaccination emerging as a promising strategy to counteract the detrimental consequences associated with NE. This comprehensive study presents an overview of the extensive efforts made in NE vaccination from 2004 to2023. The study focuses on the development and evaluation of vaccine candidates designed to combat NE. Rigorous evaluations were conducted in both laboratory animals and broiler chickens, the target population, to assess the vaccines' capacity to elicit an immune response and provide substantial protection against toxin challenges and experimental NE infections. The review encompasses the design of vaccine candidates, the antigens employed, in vivo immune responses, and the efficacy of these vaccines in protecting birds from experimental NE infection. This review contributes to the existing knowledge of NE vaccination strategies, offering valuable insights for future research and development in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ali Shamshirgaran
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehdi Golchin
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ghimire S, Subedi K, Zhang X, Wu C. Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis probiotic in preventing necrotic enteritis in broilers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Avian Pathol 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38776185 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2024.2359596] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Probiotics can enhance broiler chicken health by improving intestinal microbiota, potentially replacing antibiotics. They protect against bacterial diseases like necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry. Understanding their role is crucial for managing bacterial diseases, including NE. This study conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effects of Bacillus subtilis probiotic supplementation on feed conversion ratio (FCR), NE lesion score, and mortality. Additionally, a systematic review analysed gut microbiota changes in broilers challenged with Clostridium perfringens with or without the probiotic supplementation. Effect sizes from the studies were estimated in terms of standardized mean difference (SMD). Random effect models were fitted to estimate the pooled effect size and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the pooled effect size between the control [probiotic-free + C. perfringens] and the treatment [Bacillus subtilis supplemented + C. perfringens] groups. Overall variance was computed by heterogeneity (Q). The meta-analysis showed that Bacillus subtilis probiotic supplementation significantly improved FCR and reduced NE lesion score but had no effect on mortality rates. The estimated overall effects of probiotic supplementation on FCR, NE lesion score and mortality percentage in terms of SMD were -0.91 (CI = -1.34, -0.49; P < 0.001*); -0.67 (CI = -1.11, -0.22; P = 0.006*), and -0.32 (CI = -0.70, 0.06; P = 0.08), respectively. Heterogeneity analysis indicated significant variations across studies for FCR (Q = 69.66; P < 0.001*) and NE lesion score (Q = 42.35; P < 0.001*) while heterogeneity was not significant for mortality (Q = 2.72; P = 0.74). Bacillus subtilis probiotic supplementation enriched specific gut microbiota including Streptococcus, Butyricicoccus, Faecalibacterium, and Ruminococcus. These microbiotas were found to upregulate expression of various genes such as TJ proteins occluding, ZO-1, junctional adhesion 2 (JAM2), interferon gamma, IL12-β and transforming growth factor-β4. Moreover, downregulated mucin-2 expression was involved in restoring the intestinal physical barrier, reducing intestinal inflammation, and recovering the physiological functions of damaged intestines. These findings highlight the potential benefits of probiotic supplementation in poultry management, particularly in combating bacterial diseases and promoting intestinal health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Ghimire
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Keshab Subedi
- Christiana Care Health Systems, Institute for Research on Equity and Community Health (iREACH), Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Xinwen Zhang
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Changqing Wu
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ou L, Ye B, Sun M, Qi N, Li J, Lv M, Lin X, Cai H, Hu J, Song Y, Chen X, Zhu Y, Yin L, Zhang J, Liao S, Zhang H. Mechanisms of intestinal epithelial cell damage by Clostridiumperfringens. Anaerobe 2024; 87:102856. [PMID: 38609034 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2024.102856] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens, a Gram-positive bacterium, causes intestinal diseases in humans and livestock through its toxins, related to alpha toxin (CPA), beta toxin (CPB), C. perfringens enterotoxin (CPE), epsilon toxin (ETX), Iota toxin (ITX), and necrotic enteritis B-like toxin (NetB). These toxins disrupt intestinal barrier, leading to various cell death mechanisms such as necrosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. Additionally, non-toxin factors like adhesins and degradative enzymes contribute to virulence by enhancing colonization and survival of C. perfringens. A vicious cycle of intestinal barrier breach, misregulated cell death, and subsequent inflammation is at the heart of chronic inflammatory and infectious gastrointestinal diseases. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for developing targeted therapies against C. perfringens-associated intestinal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lanxin Ou
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China; College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225, China
| | - Bijin Ye
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China; College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225, China
| | - Mingfei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Nanshan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Minna Lv
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Xuhui Lin
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Haiming Cai
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Junjing Hu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Yongle Song
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Xiangjie Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Yibin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Lijun Yin
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Jianfei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Shenquan Liao
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
| | - Haoji Zhang
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Deslauriers N, Maduro L, Lepp D, Gong J, Abdul-Careem MF, Boulianne M. Determination of the virulence status of Clostridium perfringens strains using a chicken intestinal ligated loop model is important for understanding the pathogenesis of necrotic. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103433. [PMID: 38232618 PMCID: PMC10827602 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103433] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a poultry intestinal disease caused by virulent strains of the bacterium Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). This anaerobic bacterium produces a wide range of enzymes and toxins in the gut which leads to NE development. It is generally accepted by the poultry veterinarians that netB-positive C. perfringens strains are virulent and netB-negative strains do not cause NE. However, NE pathogenesis remains unclear as contradictory results have been reported. The use of experimental in vivo models is a valuable tool to understand the pathogenesis of a disease. In this study, a chicken ligated loop model was used to determine the virulence status of 79 C. perfringens strains from various geographical locations, sources, and genotype profiles. According to our model and based on histologic lesion scoring, 9 C. perfringens strains were classified as commensal, 35 as virulent, and 34 as highly virulent. The virulence of only 1 C. perfringens strain could not be classified as its lesion score was variable (from <10 to >15). In general, NE lesions were more severe in intestinal loops inoculated with netB-positive C. perfringens strains than those inoculated with netB-negative strains. The prevalence of netB among strains classified as commensal, virulent, and highly virulent was 56% (5/9), 54%, (19/35), and 59% (20/34). These results suggest that NetB is not required to cause NE lesions and that other factors are also involved. The classification of the virulence status of C. perfringens strains should not be based solely on the presence or absence of this toxin. Therefore, the use of an in vivo model is essential to distinguish commensal from virulent strains of C. perfringens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Deslauriers
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lila Maduro
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dion Lepp
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua Gong
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohamed Faizal Abdul-Careem
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Health Research Innovation Center 2C58, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Martine Boulianne
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moore RJ. Necrotic enteritis and antibiotic-free production of broiler chickens: Challenges in testing and using alternative products. ANIMAL NUTRITION (ZHONGGUO XU MU SHOU YI XUE HUI) 2024; 16:288-298. [PMID: 38371475 PMCID: PMC10869589 DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2023.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The global trend towards raising broiler chickens without the use of in-feed antibiotics (IFAs) means that there is an ongoing need to develop alternative treatments capable of delivering the benefits that IFAs previously provided. IFAs supported the productivity performance of chickens and played a key role in maintaining their health. Necrotic enteritis (NE) is an important disease of broilers that affects health, productivity, and welfare, and was previously well controlled by IFAs. However, with the reduction in IFA use, NE is resurgent in some countries. Vaccines and various feed additives, including pre-, pro-, and postbiotics, phytobiotics, fatty acids, and phage therapies have been introduced as alternative methods of NE control. While some of these feed additives have specific activity against the NE pathogen, Clostridium perfringens, most have the more general goal of reinforcing gut health. Extensive reviews of the effects of many of these feed additives on gut health have been published recently. Hence, rather than cover previously well reviewed areas of research this review focuses on the challenges and pitfalls in undertaking experimental assessment of alternative NE treatments and translating laboratory research to real world commercial production settings. The review is based on the author's particular experience, reading, thoughts, and analysis of the available information and inevitably presents a particular understanding that is likely to be at odds with others thinking on these issues. It is put forward to stimulate thinking and discussion on the issues covered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Moore
- School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Manjunatha V, Nixon JE, Mathis GF, Lumpkins BS, Güzel-Seydim ZB, Seydim AC, Greene AK, Jiang X. Nigella sativa as an antibiotic alternative to promote growth and enhance health of broilers challenged with Eimeria maxima and Clostridium perfringens. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102831. [PMID: 37356299 PMCID: PMC10404756 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The poultry industry has significant coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis (NE) challenges, leading to high mortality and unacceptable growth without antibiotic treatment. This research explored supplementing Nigella sativa (black cumin) seed oil in poultry feed to mitigate coccidiosis and prevent or lessen NE in broilers. In vivo studies consisted of 384 and 320 Cobb 500 male broiler chicks distributed in a randomized complete block experimental design for trials 1 and 2, respectively. The first trial compared 3 concentrations (1, 2, and 5 mL/kg) of black cumin seed oil (BCSO), and trial 2 compared 2 concentrations (2 and 5 mL/kg) BCSO, with birds challenged with Eimeria maxima and Clostridium perfringens (Cp) strains Cp#6 and Cp#4, respectively. Broiler live performance, NE disease outcomes, and Cp populations were measured for both trials. A commercially available BCSO oil product, determined in a preliminary in vitro study to have the highest anti-Cp activity, was selected for in vivo studies. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis indicated the major bioactive compounds p-cymene, thymoquinone, carvacrol, and thymol were present in the BCSO. In trial 1 with strain Cp#6, BCSO concentrations of 2 and 5 mL/kg reduced NE lesion score and mortality rate to 1.6% compared with 7.8% for positive control, with no adverse impact on live performance. In trial 2 with strain Cp#4, BCSO reduced NE lesion scores and mortality rate to 35.9% compared with 51.6% for positive control and also improved weight gain when there was a Cp infection in broiler chickens. The current study compared NE in broilers challenged with 2 different Cp strains producing different levels of NE. Following Cp infection, both the population of vegetative cells and spores of Cp in cecal contents decreased for all treatments in trial 2. In conclusion, BCSO at concentrations of 2 and 5 mL/kg enhanced broiler live performance and alleviated NE and has potential as a natural, non-medication antimicrobial nutritional supplement for use as a feed additive in chickens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Manjunatha
- Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA
| | - Julian E Nixon
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA
| | - Greg F Mathis
- Southern Poultry Feed & Research, Athens, GA 30607, USA
| | | | - Zeynep B Güzel-Seydim
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA; Department of Food Engineering, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, 32260, Turkey
| | - Atif C Seydim
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA; Department of Food Engineering, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, 32260, Turkey
| | - Annel K Greene
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA
| | - Xiuping Jiang
- Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Watier-Grillot S, Larréché S, Mazuet C, Baudouin F, Feraudet-Tarisse C, Holterbach L, Dia A, Tong C, Bourget L, Hery S, Pottier E, Bouilland O, Tanti M, Merens A, Simon S, Diancourt L, Chesnay A, Pommier de Santi V. From Foodborne Disease Outbreak (FBDO) to Investigation: The Plant Toxin Trap, Brittany, France, 2018. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:457. [PMID: 37505726 PMCID: PMC10467087 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070457] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
On 6 July 2018, the Center for Epidemiology and Public Health of the French Armed Forces was informed of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis among customers of a dining facility at a military base in Brittany, France. A total of 200 patients were reported out of a population of 1700 (attack rate: 12%). The symptoms were mainly lower digestive tract disorders and occurred rapidly after lunch on 5 July (median incubation period: 3.3 h), suggesting a toxin-like pathogenic process. A case-control survey was carried out (92 cases and 113 controls). Statistical analysis pointed to the chili con carne served at lunch on 5 July as the very likely source of poisoning. Phytohaemagglutinin, a plant lectin, was found in the chili con carne at a concentration above the potentially toxic dose (400 HAU/gram). The raw kidney beans incorporated in the chili con carne presented a high haemagglutination activity (66,667 HAU/gram). They were undercooked, and the phytohaemagglutinin was not completely destroyed. FBDOs due to PHA are poorly documented. This study highlights the need to develop methods for routine testing of plant toxins in food matrices. Improved diagnostic capabilities would likely lead to better documentation, epidemiology, and prevention of food-borne illnesses caused by plant toxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Watier-Grillot
- French Armed Forces Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health (CESPA), 13014 Marseille, France; (L.H.); (A.D.); (C.T.); (M.T.); (V.P.d.S.)
| | - Sébastien Larréché
- Bégin Military Teaching Hospital, 94160 Saint-Mandé, France; (S.L.); (A.M.)
- Inserm, UMR-S1144, France & Paris Cité University, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Christelle Mazuet
- National Reference Centre for Anaerobic Bacteria and Botulism, Institut Pasteur, Paris Cité University, CEDEX 15, 75724 Paris, France; (C.M.); (L.D.)
| | | | - Cécile Feraudet-Tarisse
- Department of Medications and Healthcare Technologies (DMTS), Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INRAE, SPI, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (C.F.-T.); (S.S.)
| | - Lise Holterbach
- French Armed Forces Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health (CESPA), 13014 Marseille, France; (L.H.); (A.D.); (C.T.); (M.T.); (V.P.d.S.)
| | - Aïssata Dia
- French Armed Forces Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health (CESPA), 13014 Marseille, France; (L.H.); (A.D.); (C.T.); (M.T.); (V.P.d.S.)
| | - Christelle Tong
- French Armed Forces Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health (CESPA), 13014 Marseille, France; (L.H.); (A.D.); (C.T.); (M.T.); (V.P.d.S.)
| | - Laure Bourget
- Laboratory of the French Armed Forces Commissariat, 49130 Les Ponts-de-Cé, France; (L.B.); (A.C.)
| | - Sophie Hery
- Naval Group, Department of Occupational Health, 29200 Brest, France;
| | - Emmanuel Pottier
- Brest Arsenal Medical Center, 29200 Brest, France; (E.P.); (O.B.)
| | | | - Marc Tanti
- French Armed Forces Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health (CESPA), 13014 Marseille, France; (L.H.); (A.D.); (C.T.); (M.T.); (V.P.d.S.)
| | - Audrey Merens
- Bégin Military Teaching Hospital, 94160 Saint-Mandé, France; (S.L.); (A.M.)
- Inserm, UMR-S1144, France & Paris Cité University, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Simon
- Department of Medications and Healthcare Technologies (DMTS), Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INRAE, SPI, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (C.F.-T.); (S.S.)
| | - Laure Diancourt
- National Reference Centre for Anaerobic Bacteria and Botulism, Institut Pasteur, Paris Cité University, CEDEX 15, 75724 Paris, France; (C.M.); (L.D.)
| | - Aurélie Chesnay
- Laboratory of the French Armed Forces Commissariat, 49130 Les Ponts-de-Cé, France; (L.B.); (A.C.)
| | - Vincent Pommier de Santi
- French Armed Forces Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health (CESPA), 13014 Marseille, France; (L.H.); (A.D.); (C.T.); (M.T.); (V.P.d.S.)
- Vectors–Tropical and Mediterranean Infections Joint Research Unit (VITROME), Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sun Z, Lu M, Lillehoj H, Lee Y, Goo D, Yuan B, Yan X, Li C. Characterization of Collagen Binding Activity of Clostridium perfringens Strains Isolated from Broiler Chickens. Pathogens 2023; 12:778. [PMID: 37375468 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060778] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is the etiological agent for necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens, which causes a substantial economic loss of an estimated USD 6 billion annually in the global poultry industry. Collagen adhesion is involved in the NE pathogenesis in poultry. In this study, the binding capabilities of chicken C. perfringens isolates of various genetic backgrounds (netB-tpeL-, netB+tpeL-, netB+tpeL+) to collagen types I-V and gelatin were examined, and the putative adhesin protein cnaA gene was investigated at the genomic level. In total, 28 C. perfringens strains from healthy and NE-inflicted sick chickens were examined. The results on collagen adhesin-encoding gene cnaA by the quantitative-PCR results indicated that netB-tpeL- isolates had much lower copies of the detectable cnaA gene than netB+ isolates (10 netB+tpeL- isolates, 5 netB+tpeL+ isolates). Most of the virulent C. perfringens isolates demonstrated collagen-binding abilities to types I-II and IV-V, while some strains showed weak or no binding to collagen type III and gelatin. However, the netB+tpeL+ isolates showed significantly higher binding capabilities to collagen III than netB-tpeL- and netB+tpeL- isolates. The data in this study suggest that the collagen-binding capability of clinical C. perfringens isolates correlates well with their NE pathogenicity levels, especially for C. perfringens isolates carrying genes encoding crucial virulence factors and virulence-associated factors such as netB, cnaA, and tpeL. These results indicate that the presence of the cnaA gene may be correlated with C. perfringens virulence (particularly for netB+ isolates).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhifeng Sun
- Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Mingmin Lu
- Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Hyun Lillehoj
- Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Youngsub Lee
- Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Doyun Goo
- Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Baohong Yuan
- Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Xianghe Yan
- Environment Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Charles Li
- Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
MADA T, GOTO Y, KUMAGAI M, SAKAI H, KANAMORI H, TAKAMATSU D. A calf with hind limb paralysis and dysstasia and a genome sequence analysis of an isolated Clostridium perfringens toxinotype E strain. J Vet Med Sci 2023; 85:279-289. [PMID: 36653149 PMCID: PMC10076203 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0432] [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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens toxinotype E infections are rare in calves, and the development of intestinal lesions were commonly observed. In 2012, a 6-day-old calf in Japan exhibited swelling with emphysema on the right gluteal region, sudden paralysis of the hind limb and dysstasia. A pathological examination revealed myositis of the gluteal muscle and neuritis of the ischiatic nerve. C. perfringens type E strain CP118 was isolated from the affected muscle. However, the intestinal symptoms and lesions that commonly develop in type E infections in calves were not detected in the present case. Genome analyses revealed that CP118 possessed 16 virulence-related genes, including enterotoxin, and was closely related to other type E and F strains. Particularly, CP118 was more closely related to type E strains from humans, including a food poisoning case, than calf isolates, suggesting its potential to cause food poisoning in humans and, thus, its importance as a potential risk to public health. Since CP118 did not possess the reported toxin genes associated with neuropathy, pyogenic inflammation caused by CP118 and/or other bacteria may have damaged the ischiatic nerve, resulting in neuropathy. Alternatively, unidentified CP118 toxins may have caused the neuropathy. This is the first study to report C. perfringens type E infection with peripheral neuropathy. The distribution of all the reported virulence-related genes in the C. perfringens population as well as the details of this rare case will provide further insights into C. perfringens type E infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi MADA
- Division of Infectious Animal Disease Research, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yo GOTO
- Miyagi Prefecture Sendai Livestock Hygiene Service Center, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Masahiko KUMAGAI
- Research Center for Advanced Analysis, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroaki SAKAI
- Research Center for Advanced Analysis, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki KANAMORI
- Genome Breeding Support Office, Institute of Crop Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Daisuke TAKAMATSU
- Division of Infectious Animal Disease Research, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mohiuddin M, Song Z, Liao S, Qi N, Li J, Lv M, Lin X, Cai H, Hu J, Liu S, Zhang J, Gu Y, Sun M. Animal Model Studies, Antibiotic Resistance and Toxin Gene Profile of NE Reproducing Clostridium perfringens Type A and Type G Strains Isolated from Commercial Poultry Farms in China. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030622. [PMID: 36985195 PMCID: PMC10059142 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Poultry necrotic enteritis (NE) is a complex and multifactorial disease caused by Clostridium perfringens types. Earlier, the disease was prevented and/or controlled through the addition of in-feed antibiotics and antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs). The ban on the use of these agents as feed additives has been a major reason for re-emergence of this disease leading to huge economic losses to the world poultry industry. Understanding the pathogenesis of NE by developing an effective experimental model remains challenging and lacks consistency owing to the involvement of several critical factors involved in causing lesions of disease in the field. In this study, locally characterized C. perfringens types, i.e., ACP (toxinotype A), and GCP (toxinotype G), obtained from NE outbreaks on commercial farms in China (2020–2022), were used to experimentally induce NE in Specific-Pathogen-Free (SPF) chicks. The lesion scores observed on day 20 were 1.9 ± 1.10 (GCP strain) and 1.5 ± 1.08 (ACP strain), and both had significant difference as compared to the control group. The inclusion of fishmeal in addition to oral clostridial dose, i.e., fishmeal (day 7 onward) + Clostridia (7.5 × 108 cfu/mL consecutively for 04 days) induced a lesion score of 2.0 ± 1.15 in respective groups. Use of coccidia (Eimeria necatrix) on day 9 followed by clostridia challenge enhanced the lesion scores to 2.5 ± 1.08 and 2.2 ± 1.23 for type G and type A strains, respectively. When both predisposing factors (coccidia + fish meal) were given together, i.e., fishmeal (day 7 onward) and coccidia (day 9) along with clostridia, the lesion scores were 3.2 ± 1.22 (GCP + coccidia + fish meal) and 3.0 ± 1.15 (ACP + coccidia + fish meal). These results were significantly different from group 1 (ACP) and 2 (GCP), in which only C. perfringens was used to induce NE. The clinical signs as well as histopathological lesions in experimentally induced groups were found similar as reported in the literature. The two type G strains identified in this study were also used for susceptibility testing against various drugs. Both strains were found to be resistant to amikacin, doxycycline, metronidazole, neomycin, nystatin, polymyxin B, streptomycin, and tetracycline. Variable susceptibility was seen against ceftriaxone, florfenicol, gentamicin, and kanamycin drugs. Amoxicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, ofloxacin, and penicillin were effective drugs based upon their low level of resistance and therefore they might be preferred over other antimicrobial agents for proper treatment/prophylaxis of NE infections. Further studies are needed to study the pathogenesis of NE in detail in experimentally induced models along with continuous monitoring of the resistance pattern of C. perfringens strains in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mudassar Mohiuddin
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
| | - Zhongfeng Song
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Science and Technology University, Chuzhou 233100, China
| | - Shenquan Liao
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Nanshan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Minna Lv
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xuhui Lin
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Haiming Cai
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Junjing Hu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Shaobing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Science and Technology University, Chuzhou 233100, China
| | - Jianfei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Youfang Gu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Science and Technology University, Chuzhou 233100, China
- Correspondence: (Y.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Mingfei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Correspondence: (Y.G.); (M.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hustá M, Tretiak S, Ducatelle R, Van Immerseel F, Goossens E. Clostridium perfringens strains proliferate to high counts in the broiler small intestinal tract, in accordance with necrotic lesion severity, and sporulate in the distal intestine. Vet Microbiol 2023; 280:109705. [PMID: 36822035 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium (C.) perfringens is the causative agent of necrotic enteritis (NE), an important enteric disease in poultry. Although a variety of virulence factors have been identified and as such the pathogenesis is well studied, data on colonization and sporulation during passage in the intestinal tract are scarce. This study, therefore, evaluated the behaviour of C. perfringens in the different intestinal compartments of broiler chickens during a NE trial. Necrotic enteritis-associated lesions were mostly found in the jejunum, where they were significantly more severe compared to the duodenum and ileum. Furthermore, a positive correlation between the total number of vegetative C. perfringens cells in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, or distal colon and disease severity was observed. Additionally, in the caecum and distal colon, C. perfringens was mainly present as a spore. This observation has important consequences for NE treatment and prevention, as both the vegetative cells and C. perfringens spores should be targeted to avoid uptake of spores from the litter and reinfection of the birds after antibiotic treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Hustá
- Livestock Gut Health Team (LiGHT) Ghent, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Svitlana Tretiak
- Livestock Gut Health Team (LiGHT) Ghent, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Richard Ducatelle
- Livestock Gut Health Team (LiGHT) Ghent, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Immerseel
- Livestock Gut Health Team (LiGHT) Ghent, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Evy Goossens
- Livestock Gut Health Team (LiGHT) Ghent, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Santiani F, Silva ROS, Oliveira Júnior CAD, Withoeft JA, Cristo TG, Costa LS, Gaspar T, Casagrande RA. Characterization of coccidiosis and evaluation of suggestive cases of subclinical necrotic enteritis in broilers. PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-7090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT: This study performed the characterization of coccidiosis in broilers and evaluated the occurrence of suggestive cases of necrotic enteritis (NE), seeking if there is an association between the diseases in Brazilian flocks. Two hundred and fifty-six birds from 32 flocks were evaluated. Macroscopic and histopathological lesions were graduated for coccidiosis and NE. Intestinal content was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for seven species of Eimeria and by selective anaerobic culture for Clostridium perfringens and identification of the NetB gene. Flocks positive for coccidiosis represented 93.8%. Macroscopic lesions of coccidiosis were Grade 1 for E. acervulina (27%); E. tenella (9.7%) and E. maxima (8.9%). Histopathological evaluation showed Grade 1 in duodenum (38.2%); jejunum (21.4%); cecum (9.3%) and ileum (5%). PCR demonstrated positivity for E. tenella (21.9%), E. maxima (18.8%), and E. acervulina (3.1%). Suggestive macroscopic lesions of necrotic enteritis ranged from Grade 1 (16%), 2 (23%) and 3 (10,9%). Histopathology indicated the absence of necrosis, showing only hemorrhage in the mucosa and submucosa, with the presence of Eimeria spp. Clostridium perfringens type A netB+ was not isolated, demonstrating that macroscopic lesions found mostly in the jejunum did not characterize NE, based on histopathology and negativity of the NetB gene. The study suggests that, due to the high occurrence of coccidiosis, many macroscopic findings suggestive of NE are, in fact, attributed to atypical lesions caused by the reproduction of Eimeria spp.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Taís Gaspar
- Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Evaluation of Predisposing Factors of Necrotic Enteritis in Experimentally Challenged Broiler Chickens. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12151880. [PMID: 35892530 PMCID: PMC9331785 DOI: 10.3390/ani12151880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The ban of antibiotic growth promoters in animal feed increased the number of cases of necrotic enteritis (NE) in broilers, greatly affecting the poultry industry. The induction of experimental NE faces challenges, as it is a multifactorial disease and the pathogenesis is not fully understood, hampering the development of in vivo studies for disease control and prevention strategies. The literature reports several protocols using different factors to assist in NE induction. This study assessed predisposing factors, such as immunosuppression, infection or both, by Eimeria spp. in broilers (n = 99) fed a wheat-based diet and challenged with three different strains of Clostridium perfringens (CP). Under microscopy, Eimeria spp. had a negative effect on intestinal morphometry and favored the increase of intraepithelial lymphocytes. However, the macroscopic analysis did not show which factor was more effective in potentiating the lesions, suggesting a synergistic effect between the strain of CP used and the predisposing factors. Therefore, each experimental protocol should first be evaluated for the association of the CP strain with the predisposing factors. Abstract Clostridium perfringens is the etiological agent of NE, a disease that greatly affects the poultry industry. Experiments on the induction of NE are difficult to carry out, as it is a multifactorial disease, and thus different predisposing factors have been used. This study evaluated the effect of the Gumboro disease vaccine virus vaccine (IBDV-vac) associated or not with infection by Eimeria spp. in broilers, as a predisposing factor for NE. Broilers (n = 99) were divided into groups (11) challenged with IBDV-vac, Eimeria spp. CP type G (CP13, CP14 and CP03) or both. The macroscopic evaluation revealed that the highest average (3.45) of injury occurred for the CP13 + IBDV-vac group. The microscopic analysis showed that Eimeria spp. increased the population of intraepithelial lymphocytes and reduced the villus/crypt ratio in duodenum and jejunum when associated with CP13 or CP14. There was a synergistic effect between the CP strain used and the predisposing factors; nevertheless, it was not clear which was the most effective predisposing factor to potentiate the lesions, suggesting that the association of the strain with the factors should first be evaluated for each experimental protocol.
Collapse
|
15
|
Anticoccidial Vaccination Is Associated with Improved Intestinal Health in Organic Chickens. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9070347. [PMID: 35878364 PMCID: PMC9321215 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9070347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In recent years, the number of organic chicken farms has increased. Chickens can be infected by single-cell parasites, coccidia, which cause lesions in the lining of the intestine leading to poor growth and sometimes death (coccidiosis). This infection can also lead to overgrowth in the intestine of a bacterium, Clostridium perfringens, that may cause further damage (necrotic enteritis). Prevention is often achieved by adding substances in the feed that will slow down the development of parasites and bacteria, but this is not allowed in organic farming. The aim of this study was to investigate if vaccination against coccidia can prevent these diseases in organic chickens. Vaccinated chickens developed milder gut lesions, had fewer and less damaging C. perfringens, and had similar or higher body weight compared to unvaccinated chickens six weeks after vaccination. No deaths from coccidiosis or necrotic enteritis occurred among vaccinated chickens while some unvaccinated chickens died from these diseases. We conclude that vaccination against coccidia benefits organic chickens. This study provides knowledge supporting further development of the organic chicken industry. The results are also of relevance to the management of coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis in conventional broilers. Abstract Eimeria spp. and Clostridium perfringens (CP) are pathogens associated with coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens. In this study we evaluated the effect of anticoccidial vaccination on intestinal health in clinically healthy organic Ross 308 chickens. On each of two farms, one unvaccinated flock (A1 and B1) was compared to one vaccinated flock (A2 and B2) until ten weeks of age (WOA). Faecal oocysts were counted weekly, and species were identified by PCR (ITS-1 gene). Lesion scoring, CP quantification and PCR targeting the CP NetB toxin gene were performed at three, four, and six WOA and chickens were weighed. Necropsies were performed on randomly selected chickens to identify coccidiosis/NE. Oocyst shedding peaked at three WOA in all flocks. Later oocyst shedding (E. tenella/E. maxima) in unvaccinated flocks at 5–7 WOA coincided with coccidiosis/NE. Although results differed somewhat between farms, vaccination was associated with lower intestinal lesion scores, reduced caecal CP counts, lower proportions of netB-positive CP, lower body weight at three–four WOA, and similar or slightly increased body weight at six WOA. In conclusion, the intestinal health of organic broilers can benefit from anticoccidial vaccination when oocyst exposure levels are high.
Collapse
|
16
|
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens, a prevalent Gram-positive bacterium, causes necrotic diseases associated with abundant life loss and economic burdens of billions of USD. The mechanism of C. perfringens-induced necrotic diseases remains largely unknown, in part, because of the lack of effective animal models and the presence of a large array of exotoxins and diverse disease manifestations from the skin and deep tissues to the gastrointestinal tract. In the light of the advancement of medical and veterinary research, a large body of knowledge is accumulating on the factors influencing C. perfringens-induced necrotic disease onset, development, and outcomes. Here, we present an overview of the key virulence factors of C. perfringens exotoxins. Subsequently, we focus on comprehensively reviewing C. perfringens-induced necrotic diseases such as myonecrosis, acute watery diarrhea, enteritis necroticans, preterm infant necrotizing enterocolitis, and chicken necrotic enteritis. We then review the current understanding on the mechanisms of myonecrosis and enteritis in relation to the immune system and intestinal microbiome. Based on these discussions, we then review current preventions and treatments of the necrotic diseases and propose potential new intervention options. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated and comprehensive knowledge on the role of the host–microbe interaction to develop new interventions against C. perfringens-induced necrotic diseases.
Collapse
|
17
|
Abd El-Hack ME, El-Saadony MT, Elbestawy AR, El-Shall NA, Saad AM, Salem HM, El-Tahan AM, Khafaga AF, Taha AE, AbuQamar SF, El-Tarabily KA. Necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens: disease characteristics and prevention using organic antibiotic alternatives – a comprehensive review. Poult Sci 2022; 101:101590. [PMID: 34953377 PMCID: PMC8715378 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In line with the substantial increase in the broiler industry worldwide, Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis (NE) became a continuous challenge leading to high economic losses, especially after banning antimicrobial growth promoters in feeds by many countries. The disease is distributed worldwide in either clinical or subclinical form, causing a reduction in body weight or body weight gain and the feed conversion ratio, impairing the European Broiler Index or European Production Efficiency Factor. There are several predisposing factors in the development of NE. Clinical signs varied from inapparent signs in case of subclinical infection (clostridiosis) to obvious enteric signs (morbidity), followed by an increase in mortality level (clostridiosis or clinical infection). Clinical and laboratory diagnoses are based on case history, clinical signs, gross and histopathological lesions, pathogenic agent identification, serological testing, and molecular identification. Drinking water treatment is the most common route for the administration of several antibiotics, such as penicillin, bacitracin, and lincomycin. Strict hygienic management practices in the farm, careful selection of feed ingredients for ration formulation, and use of alternative antibiotic feed additives are all important in maintaining broiler efficiency and help increase the profitability of broiler production. The current review highlights NE caused by C. perfringens and explains the advances in the understanding of C. perfringens virulence factors involved in the pathogenesis of NE with special emphasis on the use of available antibiotic alternatives such as herbal extracts and essential oils as well as vaccines for the control and prevention of NE in broiler chickens.
Collapse
|
18
|
Minich D, Madden C, Navarro MA, Glowacki L, French-Kim K, Chan W, Evans MV, Soares K, Mrofchak R, Madan R, Ballash GA, LaPerle K, Paul S, Vodovotz Y, Uzal FA, Martinez M, Hausmann J, Junge RE, Hale VL. Gut microbiota and age shape susceptibility to clostridial enteritis in lorikeets under human care. Anim Microbiome 2022; 4:7. [PMID: 35000619 PMCID: PMC8744333 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-021-00148-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Enteritis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in lorikeets that can be challenging to diagnose and treat. In this study, we examine gut microbiota in two lorikeet flocks with enteritis (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium—CZA; Denver Zoo—DZ). Since 2012, the CZA flock has experienced repeated outbreaks of enteritis despite extensive diet, husbandry, and clinical modifications. In 2018, both CZA and DZ observed a spike in enteritis. Recent research has revealed that the gut microbiota can influence susceptibility to enteropathogens. We hypothesized that a dysbiosis, or alteration in the gut microbial community, was making some lorikeets more susceptible to enteritis, and our goal was to characterize this dysbiosis and determine the features that predicted susceptibility.
Results We employed 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize the cloacal microbiota in lorikeets (CZA n = 67, DZ n = 24) over time. We compared the microbiota of healthy lorikeets, to lorikeets with enteritis, and lorikeets susceptible to enteritis, with “susceptible” being defined as healthy birds that subsequently developed enteritis. Based on sequencing data, culture, and toxin gene detection in intestinal contents, we identified Clostridium perfringens type A (CZA and DZ) and C. colinum (CZA only) at increased relative abundances in birds with enteritis. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry further identified the presence of gram-positive bacilli and C. perfringens, respectively, in the necrotizing intestinal lesions. Finally, using Random Forests and LASSO models, we identified several features (young age and the presence of Rhodococcus fascians and Pseudomonas umsongensis) associated with susceptibility to clostridial enteritis. Conclusions We identified C. perfringens type A and C. colinum associated with lorikeet necrohemorrhagic enteritis at CZA and DZ. Susceptibility testing of isolates lead to an updated clinical treatment plan which ultimately resolved the outbreaks at both institutions. This work provides a foundation for understanding gut microbiota features that are permissive to clostridial colonization and host factors (e.g. age, prior infection) that shape responses to infection. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42523-021-00148-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Minich
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Christopher Madden
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Mauricio A Navarro
- California Animal Health & Food Safety Lab, University of California, Davis, San Bernardino, CA, USA.,Instituto de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Leo Glowacki
- Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kristen French-Kim
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Willow Chan
- Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Morgan V Evans
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Ohio State University College of Public Health, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kilmer Soares
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Sciences (CCA), Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - Ryan Mrofchak
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Rushil Madan
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Gregory A Ballash
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Krista LaPerle
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Comparative Pathology & Digital Imaging Shared Resource, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Subhadeep Paul
- Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Yael Vodovotz
- Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Francisco A Uzal
- California Animal Health & Food Safety Lab, University of California, Davis, San Bernardino, CA, USA
| | - Margaret Martinez
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Vanessa L Hale
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gomez-Osorio LM, Yepes-Medina V, Ballou A, Parini M, Angel R. Short and Medium Chain Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives as a Natural Strategy in the Control of Necrotic Enteritis and Microbial Homeostasis in Broiler Chickens. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:773372. [PMID: 34970616 PMCID: PMC8712453 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.773372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) has historically been the most important prophylactic strategy for the control of Necrotic Enteritis (NE) caused by some Clostridium perfringens toxin types in poultry. During the last five decades, AGPs have also been supplemented in feed to improve body weight gain and feed efficiency as well as to modulate the microbiome (consisting of microbes and their genes both beneficial and potentially harmful) and reduce enteric pathogens, among other benefits. New regulatory requirements and consumer preferences have led to strong interest in natural alternatives to the AGPs for the prevention and control of illnesses caused by enteric pathogens. This interest is not just focused on the direct removal or inhibition of the causative microorganisms but also the improvement of intestinal health and homeostasis using a range of feed additives. A group of promising feed additives is short- and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFA and MCFA, respectively) and their derivatives. The use of SCFA and MCFA, including butyric, caproic, caprylic, capric, and lauric acids, has shown strong effects against NE in broilers both at experimental and commercial levels. These fatty acids also benefit intestinal health integrity and homeostasis. Other effects have also been documented, including increases in intestinal angiogenesis and gene expression of tight junctions. Chemical modifications to improve stability and point of release in the intestine have been shown to improve the efficacy of SCFA and MCFA and their derivatives. The aim of this review is to give an overview of SCFA, MCFA and their derivatives, as an alternative to replace AGPs to control the incidence and severity of NE in poultry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anne Ballou
- Iluma Innovation Labs, Durham, NC, United States
| | | | - Roselina Angel
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lee KW, Lillehoj HS. Role of Clostridium perfringens Necrotic Enteritis B-like Toxin in Disease Pathogenesis. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 10:vaccines10010061. [PMID: 35062722 PMCID: PMC8780507 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a devastating enteric disease caused by Clostridium perfringens type A/G that impacts the global poultry industry by compromising the performance, health, and welfare of chickens. Coccidiosis is a major contributing factor to NE. Although NE pathogenesis was believed to be facilitated by α-toxin, a chromosome-encoded phospholipase C enzyme, recent studies have indicated that NE B-like (NetB) toxin, a plasmid-encoded pore-forming heptameric protein, is the primary virulence factor. Since the discovery of NetB toxin, the occurrence of NetB+ C. perfringens strains has been increasingly reported in NE-afflicted poultry flocks globally. It is generally accepted that NetB toxin is the primary virulent factor in NE pathogenesis although scientific evidence is emerging that suggests other toxins contribute to NE. Because of the complex nature of the host-pathogen interaction in NE pathogenesis, the interaction of NetB with other potential virulent factors of C. perfringens needs better characterization. This short review will summarize the primary virulence factors involved in NE pathogenesis with an emphasis on NetB toxin, and a new detection method for large-scale field screening of NetB toxin in biological samples from NE-afflicted commercial broiler flocks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Woo Lee
- Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA;
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-450-0495
| | - Hyun S. Lillehoj
- Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tresha AO, Arif M, Islam SS, Haque AKMZ, Rahman MT, Kabir SML. Investigation of Clostridium perfringens in small-scale commercial broiler flocks in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. Vet World 2021; 14:2809-2816. [PMID: 34903943 PMCID: PMC8654751 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.2809-2816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Necrotic enteritis (NE) is one of the most prevalent diseases in broiler poultry caused by Clostridium perfringens connected with significant economic losses. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh to assess the prevalence of C. perfringens through toxinotyping molecular assay and confirm the risk factors for NE, including antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) status of the isolates. Materials and Methods We included 40 small-scale commercial broiler farms randomly selected from two subdistricts of Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. As an individual sample, 240 cloacal swabs, and as a pooled sample, 40 drinking water, 40 workers' hand washing, 40 litter swab, and 40 feed samples were collected and evaluated by culture, biochemical, and molecular assays. A pretested semi-structured interview questionnaire was employed to capture flock-level data on risk factors from the farm owners. The flock-level data on risk factors were assessed through univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses with p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Overall flock-level prevalence of C. perfringens was estimated to be 10.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.5-13.6%). Litter swab (pooled) was found to be highly contaminated with C. perfringens (25.0%, 95% CI: 12.7-41.2%) followed by the cloacal swab (10.4%, 95% CI: 6.9-15.0%) and feed sample (5.0%, 95% CI: 0.6-16.9%). History of coccidia infection (Adjusted odds ratio =33.01, 95% CI: 2.14-507.59, p=0.01) was significantly associated with flock-level C. perfringens infection status. In this study, 78.1% isolates were found as multidrug-resistant as they demonstrated resistance to 3-5 antimicrobial agents. Conclusion Evidence-based control options need to be taken through the uses of prebiotics and probiotics, biosecurity, and hygienic measurement, including control of coccidia infection, is needed to lessen the NE infection and AMR related to this pathogen in small-scale commercial broiler poultry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arunima Oarin Tresha
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Arif
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Sk Shaheenur Islam
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - A K M Ziaul Haque
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Md Tanvir Rahman
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - S M Lutful Kabir
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Haider Z, Ali T, Ullah A, Basit A, Tahir H, Tariq H, Ilyas SZ, Hayat Z, Rehman SU. Isolation, toxinotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Clostridium perfringens isolated from Pakistan poultry. Anaerobe 2021; 73:102499. [PMID: 34890812 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2021.102499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Clostridium perfringens is a causative agent of enteric infections in animals including poultry by producing twenty different types of toxins. A single strain produces only a subset of these toxins, which form the basis of its classification into seven toxinotypes (A-G). C. perfringens toxinotype A is a widespread cause of necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry. The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of different toxins and antimicrobial susceptibility of C. perfringens isolated from Pakistan NE affected poultry. METHODS A total of 134 intestinal samples of the diseased birds were collected postmortem and processed for isolation of C. perfringens using tryptose sulphite cycloserine (TSC) agar supplemented with d-cycloserine. Isolates were confirmed by Gram's staining, biochemical and molecular analyses. Toxinotyping was performed by multiplex PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of isolates was performed by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. RESULTS A total of 34 strains of C. perfringens were isolated from 134 samples with prevalence rate of 25.37%. All the isolated strains were toxinotype A, as they were positive for alpha toxin (CPA) and negative for other tested toxins such as beta (CPB), epsilon (ETX), iota (ITX), enterotoxin (CPE), toxin perfringens large (TpeL) and necrotic B-like toxin (NetB). Interestingly, all the isolated strains of C. perfringens were multidrug resistant. The highest resistance was observed against Neomycin, Trimethoprim, Tetracycline and Lincomycin which are routinely used at Pakistan poultry production. CONCLUSION C. perfringens toxinotype A is prevalent in Pakistan poultry. Incidence of C. perfringens with prevalence rate of 25.37% can pose serious threat to Pakistan's poultry industry given that all the isolated strains were multidrug resistant. Our findings highlight the need for new antibiotics and antibiotic alternatives to overcome multidrug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zulquernain Haider
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
| | - Tanveer Ali
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
| | - Asim Ullah
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
| | - Abdul Basit
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
| | - Hamza Tahir
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
| | - Hafsa Tariq
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
| | - Syeda Zainab Ilyas
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
| | - Zafar Hayat
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Sarghoda, Sarghoda, Pakistan; Department of Animal Sciences, CVAS- Jhang Campus, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Shafiq-Ur Rehman
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Mohiuddin M, Yuan W, Song Z, Liao S, Qi N, Li J, Lv M, Wu C, Lin X, Hu J, Cai H, Sun M. Experimental induction of necrotic enteritis with or without predisposing factors using netB positive Clostridium perfringens strains. Gut Pathog 2021; 13:68. [PMID: 34789342 PMCID: PMC8596908 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-021-00463-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poultry necrotic enteritis (NE) is an economically important disease caused by C. perfringens. The disease causing ability of this bacterium is linked with the production of a wide variety of toxins. Among them, necrotic enteritis B-like (NetB) toxin is reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of NE; in addition there is some circumstantial evidence that tpeL toxin may enhance virulence, but this is yet to be definitely shown. The situation becomes more complicated in the presence of a number of predisposing factors like co-infection with coccidia, type of diet and use of high protein diet. These co-factors alter the intestinal environment, thereby favoring the production of more toxins, leading to a more severe disease. The objective of this study was to develop a successful animal model that would induce clinical signs and lesions of NE using C. perfringens type G strains obtained from field outbreaks. A separate trial was simultaneously considered to establish the role of dietary factor with coccidial co-infection in NE. Results The results have shown that use of net-B positive C. perfringens without predisposing factors induce moderate to severe NE (Av. Lesion score 1.79 ± 1.50). In a separate trial, addition of fish meal to a feed of C. perfringens challenged birds produced higher number of NE cases (Av. Lesion score 2.17 ± 1.28). However, use of less virulent E. necatrix strain along with fish meal in conjunction with net-B positive strain did not alter the severity of NE lesions in specific pathogen free chicken (Av. Lesion score 2.21 ± 1.13). Conclusions This study suggests that virulent C. perfringens type G strains can induce NE lesions in the absence of other predisposing factors. Birds in the clostridia challenged group showed moderate to severe NE lesions. Use of less virulent coccidia strain contributed to a lesser extent in increasing the severity of disease. Maize based diet along with fishmeal (1:1) increased the severity of lesions but statistically it was non-significant. The NE lesions in all experimental groups were found to be present more frequently in the duodenum. In this way, this study provided an effective model for in vivo production of NE in poultry birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mudassar Mohiuddin
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Weikang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Zhongfeng Song
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Shenquan Liao
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Nanshan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Minna Lv
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Caiyan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Xuhui Lin
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Junjing Hu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Haiming Cai
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Mingfei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Yuan L, Li M, Qiao Y, Wang H, Cui L, Wang M. The Impact of Berberine on Intestinal Morphology, Microbes, and Immune Function of Broilers in Response to Necrotic Enteritis Challenge. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:1877075. [PMID: 34712727 PMCID: PMC8548107 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1877075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to explore the therapeutic effects of berberine on necrotic enteritis (NE) in broilers caused by Clostridium perfringens. A total of 240 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were divided into four groups, as negative controls (NC), positive controls (PC), berberine- (BER-) treated, or lincomycin- (LMY-) treated groups. Broilers were challenged with C. perfringens at 15-21 days of age, followed by BER or LMY supplied in drinking water for 7 days. Experimental results showed that C. perfringens infection significantly decreased growth performance and increased intestinal necrosis index and the number of C. perfringens present to 6.45 Log10CFU/g (P < 0.001). Proinflammatory cytokines in the ileum were significantly increased, but the expression of ileal tight junction proteins occludin and claudin-1 was significantly reduced. Both BER and LMY ameliorated some of these observations. Compared with the PC group, the number of C. perfringens in the cecum was significantly decreased following treatment (P < 0.001), and growth performance and small intestine morphology were similar to those of the NC group (P > 0.05). IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels as well as occludin and claudin-1 expression were also significantly improved (P < 0.05). BER has the potential to replace antibiotics for NE caused by C. perfringens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yuan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Breeding and Nutritional Regulation, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Mengjie Li
- Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Longting District, Kaifeng 475000, China
| | - Yingying Qiao
- Sumy National Agrarian University, Faculty of Biology and Technology, Kiev 03115, Ukraine
| | - Haoyu Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Breeding and Nutritional Regulation, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Litong Cui
- Henan Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Breeding and Nutritional Regulation, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Mingfa Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Breeding and Nutritional Regulation, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Hoseini ZS, Hajizade A, Razmyar J, Ahmadian G, Arpanaei A. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles-based formulations of a chimeric proteinous vaccine candidate against necrotic enteritis disease. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 128:112316. [PMID: 34474867 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To develop a nanoparticle-based vaccine against necrotic enteritis, a chimeric antigen (rNA) consisting of the main antigens of Clostridium perfringens, NetB, and Alpha toxin, was prepared. Then, the rNA molecules were loaded onto the functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) using physical adsorption or covalent conjugation methods. The characterization of synthesized nanoparticles was performed by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry techniques. The results revealed that the spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 90 ± 12 nm and suitable surface chemistries are prepared. MSNPs-based formulations did not show any significant toxicity on the chicken embryo fibroblast cells. The results of the challenge experiments using subcutaneous or oral administration of the as-prepared formulations in the animal model showed that the as-prepared nanosystems, similar to those formulated with a commercial adjuvant (Montanide), present stronger humoral immune responses as compared to that of the free proteins. It was also indicated that the best protection is obtained in groups vaccinated with MSNPs-based nanovaccine, especially those who orally received covalently conjugated nanovaccine candidates. These results recommend that the MSNPs-based formulated chimeric proteinous vaccine candidates can be considered as an effective immunizing system for the oral vaccination of poultry against gastrointestinal infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zakieh Sadat Hoseini
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Hajizade
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jamshid Razmyar
- Department of Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Ahmadian
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ayyoob Arpanaei
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Hustá M, Ducatelle R, Van Immerseel F, Goossens E. A Rapid and Simple Assay Correlates In Vitro NetB Activity with Clostridium perfringens Pathogenicity in Chickens. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081708. [PMID: 34442787 PMCID: PMC8400579 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis is an important enteric disease in poultry, caused by NetB-producing Clostridium (C.) perfringens strains. As no straight-forward method to assess the NetB activity of C. perfringens was available, we aimed to develop an easy, high-throughput method to measure the NetB activity produced by C. perfringens. First, the appearance of C. perfringens on different avian blood agar plates was assessed. Based on the size of the haemolysis surrounding the C. perfringens colonies, NetB-positive strains could phenotypically be discriminated from NetB-negative strains on both chicken and duck blood agar. Additionally, strains producing the consensus NetB protein induced more pronounced haemolysis on chicken blood agar as compared to the weak outer haemolysis induced by A168T NetB-variant-producing C. perfringens strains. Next, a 96-well plate-based haemolysis assay to screen NetB activity in the C. perfringens culture supernatants was developed. Using this assay, a positive correlation between the in vitro NetB activity and virulence of the C. perfringens strains was shown. The developed activity assay allows us to screen novel C. perfringens isolates for their in vitro NetB activity, which could give valuable information on their disease-inducing potential, or identify molecules and (bacterial) metabolites that affect NetB expression and activity.
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhao Y, Zeng D, Wang H, Qing X, Sun N, Xin J, Luo M, Khalique A, Pan K, Shu G, Jing B, Ni X. Dietary Probiotic Bacillus licheniformis H2 Enhanced Growth Performance, Morphology of Small Intestine and Liver, and Antioxidant Capacity of Broiler Chickens Against Clostridium perfringens-Induced Subclinical Necrotic Enteritis. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2021; 12:883-895. [PMID: 31713770 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-019-09597-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The reduction in the use of antibiotics in the poultry industry has considerably increased the appearance of Clostridium perfringens (CP)-induced subclinical necrotic enteritis (SNE), forcing researchers to search alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) like probiotics. This study aimed to investigate the effect and the underlying potential mechanism of dietary supplementation of Bacillus licheniformis H2 to prevent SNE. A total of 180 1-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomly divided into three groups, with six replicates in each group and ten broilers per pen: (a) basal diet in negative control group(NC group); (b) basal diet + SNE infection(coccidiosis vaccine + CP) (SNE group); (c) basal diet + SNE infection + H2 pre-treatment(BL group). Growth performance, morphology of small intestine and liver, and antioxidant capacity of the serum, ileum, and liver were assessed in all three groups. The results showed that H2 significantly suppressed (P < 0.05) the negative effects on growth performance induced by SNE, including loss of body weight gain, decrease of feed intake, and raise of feed conversion ratio among the different treatments at 28 days. The addition of H2 also increased (P < 0.05) the villus height: crypt depth ratio as well as villus height in the ileum. Chicks fed with H2 diet had lower malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the ileum in BL group than that in SNE group (P < 0.05). Moreover, compared with other treatment groups, dietary H2 improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the ileum, serum, and liver (P < 0.05). H2 may also prevent SNE by significantly increasing the protein content (P < 0.05) of Bcl-2 in the liver. Dietary supplementation of H2 could effectively prevent the appearance of CP-induced SNE and improve the growth performance of broiler chickens damaged by SNE, of which the mechanism may be related to intestinal development, antioxidant capacity, and apoptosis which were improved by H2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhao
- Animal Microecology Institute, College of Veterinary, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dong Zeng
- Animal Microecology Institute, College of Veterinary, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hesong Wang
- Lab of Brain Connectivity, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaodan Qing
- Animal Microecology Institute, College of Veterinary, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ning Sun
- Animal Microecology Institute, College of Veterinary, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinge Xin
- Animal Microecology Institute, College of Veterinary, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Min Luo
- Animal Microecology Institute, College of Veterinary, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Abdul Khalique
- Animal Microecology Institute, College of Veterinary, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Kangcheng Pan
- Animal Microecology Institute, College of Veterinary, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Gang Shu
- Animal Microecology Institute, College of Veterinary, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Jing
- Animal Microecology Institute, College of Veterinary, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xueqin Ni
- Animal Microecology Institute, College of Veterinary, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Jenkins MC, Parker C, O'Brien C, Ritter D. Correlation Between Clostridium perfringens Alpha- and NetB-Toxin and Chick Mortality in Commercial Broiler Farms During Different Anticoccidial Control Programs. Avian Dis 2021; 64:401-406. [PMID: 33205177 DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-19-00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to determine whether a correlation existed between chick mortality and the presence of Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin and NetB-toxin genes (cpa and netB) in C. perfringens recovered from litter in commercial broiler houses. Because coccidiosis predisposes chickens to necrotic enteritis, the concentration of Eimeria oocysts in these samples was measured, and the numbers were used in similar correlation analyses. Litter samples were collected at 0, 2, and 4 wk growout from six broiler farms (18 houses total) during an anticoccidial drug (ACD) control program and from nine broiler farms (23 houses total) during an Eimeria vaccine (VAC) control program. Of these, litter samples were collected from five farms during both ACD and VAC programs. The litter samples were processed for Eimeria oocyst and C. perfringens spore enumerations by standard parasitologic and microbiologic techniques. DNA was also extracted for C. perfringens DNA for PCR detection of genes coding for alpha- and NetB-toxin. A general trend during the ACD programs was a transient decrease in both Eimeria maxima and non-E. maxima (Eamipt) numbers at 2 wk growout. The pattern was slightly different during VAC with E. maxima and Eamipt levels increasing over time. Average concentrations of C. perfringens in litter were highest at 2 wk (∼105-106 spores/g) during ACD and at placement during VAC (∼105-106 spores/g). During the ACD program, a strong correlation was observed between 0 and 3-wk chick mortality and the presence at placement (0 wk) of netB (r = 0.42-0.48) or cpa (r = 0.55-0.67). A very strong correlation was observed in 0-5-wk chick mortality and the presence of netB at 4 wk growout (0.73-0.95). During a VAC program, a strong correlation was only observed between the presence of netB at placement and 0-1-wk chick mortality (r = 0.67).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Jenkins
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705
| | - Carolyn Parker
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705
| | - Celia O'Brien
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Geier RR, Rehberger TG, Smith AH. Comparative Genomics of Clostridium perfringens Reveals Patterns of Host-Associated Phylogenetic Clades and Virulence Factors. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:649953. [PMID: 34177831 PMCID: PMC8220089 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.649953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium that infects both animals and humans. Clostridium perfringens genomes encode a diverse array of toxins and virulence proteins, which continues to expand as more genomes are sequenced. In this study, the genomes of 44 C. perfringens strains isolated from intestinal sections of diseased cattle and from broiler chickens from diseased and healthy flocks were sequenced. These newly assembled genomes were compared to 141 publicly available C. perfringens genome assemblies, by aligning known toxin and virulence protein sequences in the assemblies using BLASTp. The genes for alpha toxin, collagenase, a sialidase (nanH), and alpha-clostripain were present in at least 99% of assemblies analyzed. In contrast, beta toxin, epsilon toxin, iota toxin, and binary enterotoxin of toxinotypes B, C, D, and E were present in less than 5% of assemblies analyzed. Additional sequence variants of beta2 toxin were detected, some of which were missing the leader or signal peptide sequences and therefore likely not secreted. Some pore-forming toxins involved in intestinal diseases were host-associated, the netB gene was only found in avian isolates, while netE, netF, and netG were only present in canine and equine isolates. Alveolysin was positively associated with canine and equine strains and only present in a single monophyletic clade. Strains from ruminant were not associated with known virulence factors and, except for the food poisoning associated clade, were present across the phylogenetic diversity identified to date for C. perfringens. Many C. perfringens strains associated with food poisoning lacked the genes for hyaluronidases and sialidases, important for attaching to and digesting complex carbohydrates found in animal tissues. Overall, the diversity of virulence factors in C. perfringens makes these species capable of causing disease in a wide variety of hosts and niches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexandra H. Smith
- Arm and Hammer Animal and Food Production, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., Waukesha, WI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Munoz L, Pacheco W, Hauck R, Macklin K. Evaluation of commercially manufactured animal feeds to determine presence of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens. J APPL POULTRY RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japr.2021.100142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
|
31
|
Sarmah H, Hazarika R, Tamuly S, Deka P, Manoharan S, Sharma RK. Evaluation of different antigenic preparations against necrotic enteritis in broiler birds using a novel Clostridium perfringens type G strain. Anaerobe 2021; 70:102377. [PMID: 33957249 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2021.102377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Keeping in view, the constraints faced by the Indian broiler industry with lack of a suitable vaccine against Necrotic Enteritis (NE), a study has been proposed to explore the prevalence and detail characterization of C. perfringens type G in NE suspected broiler chicken in the process of suitable vaccine development. METHODS Intestinal scrapings/faecal contents of NE suspected broiler chickens were screened to establish the prevalence of C.perfringens type G in broiler birds. A most pathogenic, highly resistant type G isolate of C. perfringens, bearing both tpeL and gapC gene was selected for preparation of three different vaccine formulations, and to evaluate their immunogenic potential in broiler birds. RESULTS Screening of clinical samples of NE suspected broiler birds revealed C. perfringens type G, bearing gapC gene in 51.22% samples, of which 47.62% revealed tpeL gene. Seven of the tpeLpos type G isolates were comparatively more pathogenic for mice, of which, one exhibited multidrug resistance towards ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, tetracycline and levofloxacin. The sonicated supernatant (SS) prepared from the selected tpeL and gapC positive isolate could maintain a significantly higher protective IgG response than toxoid and bacterin preparation from the 21st to 28thday of age in immunized birds. CONCLUSION The additional TpeL toxin in C. perfringens type G has been proved to be an additional key biological factor in the pathogenesis of NE in broiler chickens. Considering the release of more immunogenic proteins, the SS proved to be a better immunogenic preparation against NE with a multiple immunization dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiramoni Sarmah
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, AAU., Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Ritam Hazarika
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, AAU., Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Shantonu Tamuly
- Department of Animal Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Science, AAU., Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Pankaj Deka
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, AAU., Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Seeralan Manoharan
- Vaccine Research Centre-Bacterial Vaccines, Centre for Animal Health Studies, TANUVAS, Chennai, India
| | - Rajeev K Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, AAU., Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Vaccination against pathogenic clostridia in animals: a review. Trop Anim Health Prod 2021; 53:284. [PMID: 33891221 PMCID: PMC8062623 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02728-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic, and spore-forming bacterium, which is found in the surrounding environments throughout the world. Clostridium species cause botulism, tetanus, enterotoxaemia, gas gangrene, necrotic enteritis, pseudomembranous colitis, blackleg, and black disease. Clostridium infection causes severe economic losses in livestock and poultry industries. Vaccination seems to be an effective way to control Clostridial diseases. This review discusses the toxins and vaccine development of the most common pathogenic Clostridium species in animals, including Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium novyi, Clostridium chauvoei, and Clostridium septicum. In this comprehensive study, we will review different kinds of clostridial toxins and the vaccines that are experimentally or practically available and will give a short description on each vaccine focusing on its applications, advantages, and disadvantages.
Collapse
|
33
|
Rajput DS, Zeng D, Khalique A, Rajput SS, Wang H, Zhao Y, Sun N, Ni X. Pretreatment with probiotics ameliorate gut health and necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens, a substitute to antibiotics. AMB Express 2020; 10:220. [PMID: 33336284 PMCID: PMC7746796 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-020-01153-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is being considered as one of the most important intestinal diseases in the recent poultry production systems, which causes huge economic losses globally. NE is caused by Clostridium perfringens, a pathogenic bacterium, and normal resident of the intestinal microflora of healthy broiler chickens. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of broiler chicken is considered as the most integral part of pathogen's entrance, their production and disease prevention. Interaction between C. perfringens and other pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella present in the small intestine may contribute to the development of NE in broiler chickens. The antibiotic therapy was used to treat the NE; however European Union has imposed a strict ban due to the negative implications of drug resistance. Moreover, antibiotic growth promoters cause adverse effects on human health as results of withdrawal of antibiotic residues in the chicken meat. After restriction on use of antibiotics, numerous studies have been carried out to investigate the alternatives to antibiotics for controlling NE. Thus, possible alternatives to prevent NE are bio-therapeutic agents (Probiotics), prebiotics, organic acids and essential oils which help in nutrients digestion, immunity enhancement and overall broiler performance. Recently, probiotics are extensively used alternatives to antibiotics for improving host health status and making them efficient in production. The aim of review is to describe a replacement to antibiotics by using different microbial strains as probiotics such as bacteria and yeasts etc. having bacteriostatic properties which inhibit growth of pathogens and neutralize the toxins by different modes of action.
Collapse
|
34
|
Rich AF, Zendri F, Costa T, Timofte D, Drake GJ, Rowland H, Ashpole I, Moore A, Chantrey J. Nectarivorous Bird Emphysematous Ingluvitis (NBEI): A Novel Disease in Loriinae Birds Associated With Clostridium perfringens Infection. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:606112. [PMID: 33251274 PMCID: PMC7674492 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.606112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A retrospective study revealed ten cases of emphysematous ingluvitis in Loriinae birds from two zoological collections between 2009 and 2020. Common clinical features were sudden death with gas distention of the crop, subcutaneous cervical emphysema and poor body condition, but also included collapse, hypothermia and abandonment. Macroscopic examination revealed moderate crop enlargement, distention and thickening with minimal intraluminal content, and moderate to severe submucosal to transmural gas-filled cysts (emphysema). Histopathology identified widespread transmural multifocal to coalescing empty pseudo-cystic cavities with lytic necrosis, pyo-/granulomatous inflammatory infiltrates, epithelial ulceration, parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, epithelial ballooning degeneration, and occasional intralesional rod-shaped bacteria. The lesion may have impaired the birds' ability to ingest food, resulting in suboptimal body condition. Necrotizing to granulomatous aspiration pneumonia was also a feature in some cases. Anaerobic bacterial culture of four crops identified Clostridium perfringens with associated toxin genes for alpha and occasionally beta2 toxin (cpa and cpb2 genes respectively), by PCR analysis of bacterial isolates cultured from fresh or frozen tissue. C. perfringens was identified as the common etiological agent of emphysematous ingluvitis in crop and/or liver (six out of ten birds), and type A was confirmed in five birds. C. perfringens was not detected in the crop nor liver of two unaffected Loriinae birds. This is the first publication that characterizes nectarivorous bird emphysematous ingluvitis (NBEI), attributes C. perfringens as an etiological agent, and highlights this novel disease as an important cause of death in Loriinae birds, particularly in nestling and fledgling stage of development, but also in older lorikeets and lories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F Rich
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, United Kingdom
| | - Flavia Zendri
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, United Kingdom
| | - Taiana Costa
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, United Kingdom
| | - Dorina Timofte
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, United Kingdom
| | - Gabby J Drake
- North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo), Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Rowland
- North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo), Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Ashpole
- North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo), Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Moore
- Oakhill Veterinary Centre, Goosnargh, United Kingdom
| | - Julian Chantrey
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Bae D, Lee JW, Chae JP, Kim JW, Eun JS, Lee KW, Seo KH. Characterization of a novel bacteriophage φCJ22 and its prophylactic and inhibitory effects on necrotic enteritis and Clostridium perfringens in broilers. Poult Sci 2020; 100:302-313. [PMID: 33357694 PMCID: PMC7772698 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
High necrotic enteritis (NE) incidence and mortality rates in poultry can be caused by Clostridium perfringens (CP) coinfected with Eimeria spp., a causative agent of coccidiosis. Banning of prophylactic use of antibiotics in feed has been accompanied by increased NE outbreaks, resulting in economically devastating losses to the broiler industry. To determine alternatives for controlling NE, we isolated CP-specific bacteriophages (BP), characterized their properties, evaluated their inhibitory effects on pathogenic CP, selected a highly effective phage (φCJ22), and used φCJ22 as a dietary supplement in experimental NE-afflicted broiler chickens. Male broilers (n = 780) were randomly assigned to 60 pens (n = 13 broilers/pen) and into 5 groups [CP-uninfected negative control (NC), basal diet (BD) without CP and BP; CP-infected positive control (PC), BD + CP; and 3 BP groups receiving low- (LP; BD + CP+105 BP), medium- (MP; BD + CP+106 BP), and high-phage (HP; BD + CP+107 BP plaque-forming units/kg) concentrations]. The results showed that MP and HP groups presented an antimicrobial activity toward clinical CP isolate strains, and the groups decreased NE lesions and mortality rates without changes in chicken performance at the end of the experimental period. After CP-challenge body weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly lower in phage-fed groups than that in the PC group (P < 0.05), and NE-associated mortality was the lowest in the HP group (P < 0.001). Moreover, histopathology revealed lesser gastrointestinal mucosal damage in the NC and BP-treated (LP, MP, and HP) groups than that in the PC group, and MP and HP significantly lowered viable CP number in the cecum content by up to 1.24log10 relative to only CP-infected PC group (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that addition of φCJ22 to chicken feed might effectively ameliorate NE, which is accompanied by reduced CP strains in the gut and compensate the performance of NE-afflicted broilers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongryeoul Bae
- KU Center for Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Woo Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Pyo Chae
- CJ Jeiljedang Corp Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Won Kim
- CJ Jeiljedang Corp Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Su Eun
- CJ Jeiljedang Corp Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Woo Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kun-Ho Seo
- KU Center for Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Gharieb R, Saad M, Abdallah K, Khedr M, Farag E, Abd El-Fattah A. Insights on toxin genotyping, virulence, antibiogram profiling, biofilm formation and efficacy of disinfectants on biofilms of Clostridium perfringens isolated from poultry, animals and humans. J Appl Microbiol 2020; 130:819-831. [PMID: 32881183 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to determine the toxin genotypes, virulence determinants and antibiogram of Clostridium perfringens isolated from poultry, animals and humans. Biofilm formation and the efficacy of disinfectants on C. perfringens biofilms were studied. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty C. perfringens isolates (20 clinical and 10 from chicken carcasses) were genotyped by PCR and all isolates were genotype A (cpa+). The overall prevalence of cpe, cpb2, netB and tpeL virulence genes was 6·7, 56·7, 56·7 and 36·7% respectively. Twenty-one isolates (70%) were multidrug-resistant, 8 (26·7%) were extensive drug-resistant and one isolate (3·3%) was pan drug-resistant. The average multiple antibiotic resistance index was 0·7. Biofilms were produced by 63·3% of C. perfringens isolates and categorized as weak (36·7%), moderate (16·7%) and strong (10%). Sodium hypochlorite caused significant reduction in C. perfringens biofilms (P < 0·0001). CONCLUSIONS All C. perfringens strains in this study were type A, resistant to multiple antibiotics and most of them were biofilm producers. Sodium hypochlorite showed higher efficacy in reducing C. perfringens biofilms. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This study reported the efficacy of disinfectants in reducing C. perfringens biofilms of economic and public health concern and recommends application on surfaces in farms, food processing plants and slaughterhouses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Gharieb
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - M Saad
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - K Abdallah
- Department of Food Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - M Khedr
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - E Farag
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal Health Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A Abd El-Fattah
- Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Shini S, Zhang D, Aland RC, Li X, Dart PJ, Callaghan MJ, Speight RE, Bryden WL. Probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens H57 ameliorates subclinical necrotic enteritis in broiler chicks by maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity and improving feed efficiency. Poult Sci 2020; 99:4278-4293. [PMID: 32867972 PMCID: PMC7597999 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Subclinical necrotic enteritis (NE) was induced in broiler chicks using a high dose of Eimeria spp. vaccine in the drinking water on day 9, and Clostridium perfringens (Cp) culture mixed in the feed on days 14 and 15. The aim was to evaluate the effects of probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain H57 (H57) in preventing NE in chicks. Day-old Ross 308, male broilers were weighed and randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups (6 replicate cages/treatment and 8 birds/cage). Birds in group 1 (control) were fed the basal wheat-soybean diet without H57 or NE infection; in group 2 (Eimeria) were treated with Eimeria alone; in group 3 (Cp) were treated with Cp alone; in group 4 (NE) received both Eimeria and Cp; in group 5 (NE-H57) received NE infection and H57; and group 6 (H57) received H57. The basal diet of chicks in groups 5 and 6 was supplemented with H57 at a density of 2 × 108 spores/g feed from 1 D of age. On day 21, there were no significant treatment effects on BW and feed intake between control and H57 birds. However, on day 21, the feed conversion ratio of NE-H57 birds was significantly improved when compared with NE birds (1.28 vs. 1.36; P < 0.001). Birds challenged with NE had a higher occurrence of pasty vent than birds infected with either Eimeria, Cp, or NE-H57 (41 vs. 27 vs. 29 vs. 19%, respectively; P < 0.001). Intestinal lesion scores of NE birds were also higher than those of Eimeria, Cp, and NE-H57 birds (5.67 vs. 2.56 vs. 2.78 vs. 2.10, respectively; P < 0.001) and correlated with pasty vent (Pearson's r = 0.56; P < 0.001). Microscopic evaluation showed mucosal damage and necrosis in NE birds. In contrast, villi from NE-H57 birds were normal, with no damage or infiltration with Eimeria or Cp. H57 appears to be effective in challenged birds, as it maintained epithelial barrier integrity and improved feed efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Shini
- School of Agriculture & Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton Queensland 4343, Australia.
| | - D Zhang
- School of Agriculture & Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton Queensland 4343, Australia
| | - R C Aland
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia Queensland 4071, Australia
| | - X Li
- School of Agriculture & Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton Queensland 4343, Australia
| | - P J Dart
- School of Agriculture & Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton Queensland 4343, Australia
| | - M J Callaghan
- Ridley AgriProducts Pty Ltd, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia
| | - R E Speight
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
| | - W L Bryden
- School of Agriculture & Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton Queensland 4343, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Goossens E, Van Erum J, De Gussem M, Van Limbergen T, Callens C, De Zutter L, Ducatelle R, Van Immerseel F. Incidence and associated risk factors of necrotic enteritis in Belgian layer pullet flocks. Avian Pathol 2020; 49:476-485. [PMID: 32441575 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2020.1772460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens is commonly reported in broilers. Recently, increased NE prevalence in layer breeds was reported in the Indian subcontinent. NE is also frequently observed by veterinary practitioners in Europe, mainly during the pullet rearing phase. In this study, data from layer pullet flocks in Belgium over a 5-year period (2013-2017) were used to assess the incidence of NE and identify potential risk factors for NE in layer pullets. NE was observed in 26% of the layer pullet flocks receiving veterinary intervention. This accounts for an overall estimated NE incidence of 12.3% in Belgian layer pullet flocks. Occurrence of NE was significantly associated with coccidiosis, with flocks being diagnosed with coccidiosis being two-fold more likely to develop NE. Additionally, birds kept in aviary houses were less prone to NE than flocks reared in floor systems or enriched cages. At necropsy, necrotic lesions in the small intestine were comparable to NE in broilers. A single strain of C. perfringens was isolated from the necrotic lesions of three different birds from the same flock; however, no NetB could be detected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evy Goossens
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Chana Callens
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Lieven De Zutter
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Richard Ducatelle
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Immerseel
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Gharib-Naseri K, Kheravii SK, Keerqin C, Morgan N, Swick RA, Choct M, Wu SB. Two different Clostridium perfringens strains produce different levels of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens. Poult Sci 2020; 98:6422-6432. [PMID: 31424518 PMCID: PMC8913766 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Subclinical necrotic enteritis (NE) is primarily caused by the gram-positive bacterium, Clostridium perfringens (Cp). The trend towards removal of in-feed antimicrobials and subsequent increased emergence of infection in poultry has resulted in a wide interest in better understanding of the mechanism behind this disease. The virulence of NE, to a large extent, depends on the virulence of Cp strains. Thus, this study was to assess how 2 different strains of Cp affect performance and gut characteristics of broiler chickens. Ross 308 male broilers (n = 468) were assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with antibiotics (Salinomycin at 72 ppm and zinc bacitracin at 50 ppm -, or +) and challenge (non-challenge, Cp EHE-NE18, or Cp WER-NE36). Oral administration of Eimeria oocysts (day 9) followed by inoculation with 1 mL 108 CFU Cp strains (day 14 and 15) were used to induce NE. Broiler performance was analyzed at day 10, 24, and 35. On day 16, intestinal lesion score and intestinal pH were evaluated and samples of cecal content were analyzed for bacterial counts and short-chain fatty acid concentrations (SCFA). Birds in both challenged groups showed higher feed conversion ratio (FCR), lower weight gain (P < 0.001), increased lesion scores in the jejunum (P < 0.01), and reduced pH in the ileum and cecum (P < 0.01), compared to the non-challenged birds. They also showed decreased numbers of Bacillus spp. (P < 0.001), and Ruminococcus spp. (P < 0.01) in the cecal content. On day 35, the NE36 challenged birds had a lower weight gain (P < 0.001) and higher FCR (P < 0.001) compared to the NE18 challenged birds. Interestingly, cecal Lactobacillus and lactate were increased by the NE challenge (P < 0.001), and to a greater extent in birds challenged with NE36 compared to the NE18 strain (P < 0.001). This study suggests that Cp strains varying in virulence produce different levels of disease in broiler chickens through modulating the gut environment, intestinal microbiota, and SCFA profile to different extents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Gharib-Naseri
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - S K Kheravii
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - C Keerqin
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - N Morgan
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - R A Swick
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - M Choct
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - S-B Wu
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Goossens E, Dierick E, Ducatelle R, Van Immerseel F. Spotlight on avian pathology: untangling contradictory disease descriptions of necrotic enteritis and necro-haemorrhagic enteritis in broilers. Avian Pathol 2020; 49:423-427. [PMID: 32208870 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2020.1747593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is one of the most detrimental infectious diseases in the modern poultry industry, characterized by necrosis in the small intestine. It is commonly accepted that NetB-producing C. perfringens type G strains are responsible for the disease. However, based on both macroscopic and histopathological observations, two distinct types of NE are observed. To date, both a haemorrhagic form of NE and the type G-associated non-haemorrhagic disease entity are commonly referred to as NE and the results from scientific research are interchangeably used, without distinguishing between the disease entities. Therefore, we propose to rename the haemorrhagic disease entity to necro-haemorrhagic enteritis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Goossens
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - E Dierick
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - R Ducatelle
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - F Van Immerseel
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Khalique A, Zeng D, Shoaib M, Wang H, Qing X, Rajput DS, Pan K, Ni X. Probiotics mitigating subclinical necrotic enteritis (SNE) as potential alternatives to antibiotics in poultry. AMB Express 2020; 10:50. [PMID: 32172398 PMCID: PMC7072080 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-020-00989-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Subclinical necrotic enteritis (SNE) caused by Clostridium perfringens (CP), is an important disease in chickens, which causes huge economic losses by damaging the intestinal mucosa, decreasing digestion and absorption of nutrients. Use of antibiotics at a sub-therapeutic level as antimicrobial growth promoters in poultry feed prevents the birds from SNE and improves growth. Due to the ban on the use of antibiotics in 2006 as antimicrobial growth promoters have led to the reemergence of the disease. Worldwide numerous studies have been carried out to investigate the alternatives to antibiotics for the prevention of SNE. Possible alternatives to control SNE include probiotics, prebiotics, bacteriophages, essential oils, organic acids, secondary metabolites and other microbial products. Currently, probiotics are most extensively used in poultry production as an alternative to antibiotics. This review summarizes recent insights and experimental evidence on the use of different microorganisms like Bacillus, Lactic acid bacteria, Bifidobacteria, Enterococcus, yeast, etc. as valuable probiotics for prevention of SNE and potential molecular mechanisms responsible for ameliorating effects of probiotics against SNE.
Collapse
|
42
|
In silico design and in vitro analysis of a recombinant trivalent fusion protein candidate vaccine targeting virulence factor of Clostridium perfringens. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 146:1015-1023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.09.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
43
|
Chasser KM, Wilson KM, Briggs WN, Duff AF, Bielke LR. Comparison of multiple methods for induction of necrotic enteritis in broilers: II. Impact on the growth curve. Poult Sci 2020; 98:5488-5496. [PMID: 31350993 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a disease that has gained relevance in the poultry industry with both immediate and sustained effects on BW of broilers. The objective of the 3 experiments was to evaluate the impact of NE, induced by methods that reflect common broiler production systems, on the growth curve throughout the growth period. In addition, the impact of Eimeria maxima (EM) on NE, as well as the long-term impact of Clostridium perfringens (CP) on BW, were analyzed. In experiment 1, a dual infection model of EM and CP was compared to a non-challenged control, while experiment 2 evaluated 2 different strains of EM dual infection, as well as 6 CP-only groups. Similarly, experiment 3 tested dual infection and both high and low dose CP-only groups. Both NetB and non-NetB strains of CP were used to evaluate whether NetB toxin may potentially play a role in NE induction. In all 3 experiments, BW was measured immediately before infection on day 16, then weekly through the end of the test period. In all 3 experiments, a decrease (p < 0.05) in BW was observed immediately following the acute NE disease period of day 21 to day 23, with a negative impact also observed of BW gain during NE disease period (p < 0.05). A long-term effect on BW was most clearly detected in the EM + CP dual infection models, as well as when high levels of CP-only were administered. In these cases, BW was impacted long-term, with a requisite week or more to return to a BW similar to the non-challenged control. The separation in BW, though not significant, was nearly parallel with the non-challenged control throughout the growth period, indicating a shift in the growth curve. In addition to showing the long-term impact of various forms of NE on broiler growth, these shifts in the growth curve can be used to measure the effects of treatments on prevention and recovery of broilers impacted by NE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K M Chasser
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus
| | - K M Wilson
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus
| | - W N Briggs
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus
| | - A F Duff
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus
| | - L R Bielke
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Wade B, Keyburn AL, Haring V, Ford M, Rood JI, Moore RJ. Two putative zinc metalloproteases contribute to the virulence of Clostridium perfringens strains that cause avian necrotic enteritis. J Vet Diagn Invest 2020; 32:259-267. [PMID: 31924132 DOI: 10.1177/1040638719898689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two putative zinc metalloproteases encoded by Clostridium perfringens have been implicated in the pathogenesis of necrotic enteritis, an economically significant poultry disease that is caused by this anaerobic bacterium. These proteases have ~64% amino acid identity and are encoded by the zmpA and zmpB genes. We screened 83 C. perfringens isolates by PCR for the presence of these genes. The first gene, zmpB, is chromosomally located and was present in all screened strains of C. perfringens, regardless of their origin and virulence. The second gene, zmpA, is plasmid-borne and was only found in isolates derived from chickens with necrotic enteritis. We describe the generation of insertionally inactivated mutants of both zmpA and zmpB in a virulent C. perfringens isolate. For each mutant, a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in virulence was observed in a chicken necrotic enteritis disease model. Examples of each mutant strain were characterized by whole genome sequencing, which showed that there were a few off-site mutations with the potential to affect the virulence of these strains. To confirm the importance of these genes, independently derived zmpA and zmpB mutants were constructed in different virulent C. perfringens isolates and shown to have reduced virulence in the experimental disease induction model. A zmpA-zmpB double mutant also was generated and shown to have significantly reduced virulence, to the same extent as the respective single mutants. Our results provide evidence that both putative zinc metalloproteases play an important role in disease pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ben Wade
- CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Haring, Ford, Moore).,Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Rood, Moore).,Poultry Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia (Keyburn, Rood, Moore); School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Moore)
| | - Anthony L Keyburn
- CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Haring, Ford, Moore).,Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Rood, Moore).,Poultry Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia (Keyburn, Rood, Moore); School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Moore)
| | - Volker Haring
- CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Haring, Ford, Moore).,Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Rood, Moore).,Poultry Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia (Keyburn, Rood, Moore); School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Moore)
| | - Mark Ford
- CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Haring, Ford, Moore).,Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Rood, Moore).,Poultry Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia (Keyburn, Rood, Moore); School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Moore)
| | - Julian I Rood
- CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Haring, Ford, Moore).,Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Rood, Moore).,Poultry Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia (Keyburn, Rood, Moore); School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Moore)
| | - Robert J Moore
- CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Haring, Ford, Moore).,Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Wade, Keyburn, Rood, Moore).,Poultry Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia (Keyburn, Rood, Moore); School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Moore)
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Yang WY, Lee YJ, Lu HY, Branton SL, Chou CH, Wang C. The netB-positive Clostridium perfringens in the experimental induction of necrotic enteritis with or without predisposing factors. Poult Sci 2020; 98:5297-5306. [PMID: 31222251 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The netB-positive Clostridium perfringens has been considered as the requisite to consistently induce necrotic enteritis (NE). However, use of a netB-positive strain did not guarantee consistent NE reproduction unless high protein diets or Eimeria, conceived as 2 major predisposing factors, was incorporated. To establish a refined model, the roles of dietary fishmeal inclusion, Eimeria inoculation, and netB-positive C. perfringens challenge in NE induction and the confounding effects of Eimeria infection on NE were examined. The results showed that the use of netB-positive C. perfringens without a predisposing factor failed to induce NE. Fishmeal incorporation promoted the occurrence of NE but did not significantly affect the incidence of the disease in conjunction with challenge of netB-positive C. perfringens. However, the additional participation of Eimeria infection in the same induction procedure produced significantly higher numbers of NE cases and promoted more severe lesions in chickens (P < 0.05). Inoculation of Eimeria resulted in a significant higher incidence of NE compared to the non-Eimeria treated group (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that both netB-positive C. perfringens and predisposing factors were required for the reproduction of disease. Mild-to-moderate coccidial infection (coccidial lesion score ≤ 2) was noted in NE cases in this model but severe coccidial infection did not correlate with the occurrence of NE, indicating mild coccidial infection may be beneficial for the development of NE. If multiple species infection of Eimeria precedes the challenge of C. perfringens, days 19 to 21 (1 to 3 D after the last clostridial challenge) was the time period favorable for observations of NE lesions. The time after this period may be subject to bias of severity, incidence, or mortality of NE owing to the profound coccidial lesions in the intestinal region. This study demonstrated that the co-infection with netB-positive C. perfringens and Eimeria species under fishmeal incorporation produced a desirable NE model, being of value in studying the effectiveness of novel feed additives and alternative mitigation strategies to prevent NE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yuan Yang
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
| | - Yue-Jia Lee
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
| | - Hsin-Yi Lu
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
| | - Scott L Branton
- USDA-ARS Poultry Research Unit, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5367
| | - Chung-Hsi Chou
- Zoonoses Research Center and School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, 106, Taiwan
| | - Chinling Wang
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
de Oliveira MJK, Sakomura NK, de Paula Dorigam JC, Doranalli K, Soares L, Viana GDS. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 alone or in combination with antibiotic growth promoters improves performance in broilers under enteric pathogen challenge. Poult Sci 2019; 98:4391-4400. [PMID: 31002111 PMCID: PMC6748725 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A study was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 as a direct-fed microbial (DFM) alone or in association with bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) in broilers under enteric pathogen challenge. A total of 1,530-day-old male Cobb500 chicks were randomly assigned to 5 treatments, with 9 replicate pens with 34 birds each. Treatments included positive control (PC, basal diet without additives or challenge); negative control (NC, basal diet without additive and challenged birds); NC + 0.05 g/kg BMD; NC + 1 g/kg DFM (106 CFU B. amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940/g of feed); and NC + 0.05 g/kg BMD + 1 g/kg DFM. The challenge consisted of oral gavage with Eimeria maxima and Clostridium perfringens inoculum. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated on days 21, 35, and 42. Ileal and cecal content were collected on days 21 and 28 for C. perfringens enumeration by real-time PCR assay and the intestinal health was evaluated by scores. Uniformity (UN), carcass (CY), and breast meat yields (BMY) were evaluated on day 42. After 14 and 21 d post-inoculation, birds in the challenged groups had significant lower FI and BWG compared to the PC group (P < 0.05). However, the groups receiving DFM, BMD, or its combination presented better FCR, CY, BMY, UN, and lower incidence of footpad lesion and litter quality visual scores, compared to the NC group without feed additives (P < 0.05). Mortality was not affected by treatments (P > 0.05). Broilers fed DFM, BMD, or its combination presented lower C. perfringens in ileal content at 21 and 28 d compared to NC group without additives (P < 0.05) and also maintained gut health by keeping the frequency of ballooning, abnormal content, and swollen mucosa comparable to the PC group (P > 0.05). The study indicates that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 is effective as BMD to provide similar performance and gut health in challenged broilers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nilva Kazue Sakomura
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita, Filho", FCAV/UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo 14884-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Letícia Soares
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita, Filho", FCAV/UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriel da Silva Viana
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita, Filho", FCAV/UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo 14884-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ahiwe EU, Chang'a EP, Abdallh ME, Al-Qahtani M, Kheravii SK, Wu S, Graham H, Iji PA. Dietary hydrolysed yeast cell wall extract is comparable to antibiotics in the control of subclinical necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens. Br Poult Sci 2019; 60:757-765. [PMID: 31509001 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2019.1664727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
1. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of yeast cell wall (YCW) on performance and physiological responses of broiler chickens under subclinical necrotic enteritis challenge.2. Six treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (non-challenged or challenged plus no supplement, YCW or antibiotics (AB)) was used. Each treatment was replicated eight times with 12 birds per replicate. The treatments included: (1) Positive control (PC; no additive, not challenged); (2) Negative control (NC; no additive, with challenge); (3) YCWN = yeast cell wall (2.0 g/kg diet, not challenged; (4) YCWC = yeast cell wall (2.0 g/kg diet, challenged); (5) ABN = zinc bacitracin 50 ppm + Salinomycin 60 ppm, not challenged); (6) ABC = zinc bacitracin 50 ppm + Salinomycin 60 ppm, challenged).3. Eimeria challenge at 9 d of age did not affect feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), FCR or liveability at 10 d. The BWG and FCR at 10 d were greater (P < 0.05) in birds fed YCW or AB (AB) diets relative to the PC or NC groups. On 24 and 35 d, FI, BWG, FCR and flock uniformity (28 d) were greater (P < 0.05) in the challenged groups fed YCW or AB diets compared to NC group.4. Supplementation with YCW ameliorated the negative effects of NE on liver, spleen and bursa weight of birds.5. Necrotic enteritis challenge decreased (P < 0.05) caecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. counts, and increased ileum lesion score and caecal Clostridium perfirngens counts. This was reversed by the addition of either YCW or AB.6. Supplementation with YCW and AB resulted to a greater (P < 0.05) dressing percentage and meat yield (35 d).7. The results indicated that YCW plays a vital role in improving the physiological response and performance of broiler chickens under subclinical necrotic enteritis challenge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E U Ahiwe
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
| | - E P Chang'a
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - M E Abdallh
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - M Al-Qahtani
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - S K Kheravii
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - S Wu
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - H Graham
- AB Vista, Woodstock Court, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK
| | - P A Iji
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
- College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Fiji National University, Koronivia, Fiji
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Profeta F, Di Francesco CE, Di Provvido A, Scacchia M, Alessiani A, Di Giannatale E, Marruchella G, Orsini M, Toscani T, Marsilio F. Prevalence of netB-positive Clostridium perfringens in Italian poultry flocks by environmental sampling. J Vet Diagn Invest 2019; 32:252-258. [PMID: 31650911 DOI: 10.1177/1040638719885841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens type G is one of the pathogens involved in enteric diseases in poultry. NetB, a pore-forming toxin, is considered the main virulence factor responsible for necrotic enteritis during C. perfringens infection. We carried out a field study involving 14 farms to evaluate the occurrence of netB-positive C. perfringens and the impact of infection in Italian poultry flocks. Environmental samples (n = 117) and 50 carcasses were screened by microbiologic and molecular methods. Microbiologic investigations yielded 82 C. perfringens isolates. DNA was extracted from all samples and screened for α-toxin and NetB encoding genes by real-time PCR. The C. perfringens α-toxin gene was detected in 151 of 167 extracts (90.4%), and 31 of 151 (20.5%) were netB gene positive also. Sixteen isolates from a turkey flock with mild enteric disorders were also netB positive, demonstrating their occurrence not only in broiler but also in turkey flocks. A pulsed-field gel electrophoresis protocol was optimized to evaluate the diversity among isolates and revealed high genetic heterogeneity. The complete NetB toxin-coding gene of 2 C. perfringens isolates from turkey and broiler flocks were analyzed and showed very high relatedness with analogous sequences worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Profeta
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy (Profeta, Di Francesco, Marruchella, Marsilio).,Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy (Di Provvido, Scacchia, Alessiani, Di Giannatale, Orsini).,Agricultural Social Cooperative "Gesco", Castellalto, Teramo, Italy (Toscani)
| | - Cristina E Di Francesco
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy (Profeta, Di Francesco, Marruchella, Marsilio).,Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy (Di Provvido, Scacchia, Alessiani, Di Giannatale, Orsini).,Agricultural Social Cooperative "Gesco", Castellalto, Teramo, Italy (Toscani)
| | - Andrea Di Provvido
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy (Profeta, Di Francesco, Marruchella, Marsilio).,Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy (Di Provvido, Scacchia, Alessiani, Di Giannatale, Orsini).,Agricultural Social Cooperative "Gesco", Castellalto, Teramo, Italy (Toscani)
| | - Massimo Scacchia
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy (Profeta, Di Francesco, Marruchella, Marsilio).,Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy (Di Provvido, Scacchia, Alessiani, Di Giannatale, Orsini).,Agricultural Social Cooperative "Gesco", Castellalto, Teramo, Italy (Toscani)
| | - Alessandra Alessiani
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy (Profeta, Di Francesco, Marruchella, Marsilio).,Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy (Di Provvido, Scacchia, Alessiani, Di Giannatale, Orsini).,Agricultural Social Cooperative "Gesco", Castellalto, Teramo, Italy (Toscani)
| | - Elisabetta Di Giannatale
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy (Profeta, Di Francesco, Marruchella, Marsilio).,Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy (Di Provvido, Scacchia, Alessiani, Di Giannatale, Orsini).,Agricultural Social Cooperative "Gesco", Castellalto, Teramo, Italy (Toscani)
| | - Giuseppe Marruchella
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy (Profeta, Di Francesco, Marruchella, Marsilio).,Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy (Di Provvido, Scacchia, Alessiani, Di Giannatale, Orsini).,Agricultural Social Cooperative "Gesco", Castellalto, Teramo, Italy (Toscani)
| | - Massimiliano Orsini
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy (Profeta, Di Francesco, Marruchella, Marsilio).,Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy (Di Provvido, Scacchia, Alessiani, Di Giannatale, Orsini).,Agricultural Social Cooperative "Gesco", Castellalto, Teramo, Italy (Toscani)
| | - Tonino Toscani
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy (Profeta, Di Francesco, Marruchella, Marsilio).,Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy (Di Provvido, Scacchia, Alessiani, Di Giannatale, Orsini).,Agricultural Social Cooperative "Gesco", Castellalto, Teramo, Italy (Toscani)
| | - Fulvio Marsilio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy (Profeta, Di Francesco, Marruchella, Marsilio).,Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy (Di Provvido, Scacchia, Alessiani, Di Giannatale, Orsini).,Agricultural Social Cooperative "Gesco", Castellalto, Teramo, Italy (Toscani)
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
|
50
|
Moore RJ, Lacey JA. Genomics of the Pathogenic Clostridia. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7:10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0033-2018. [PMID: 31215504 PMCID: PMC11257213 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0033-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-genome sequences are now available for all the clinically important clostridia and many of the lesser or opportunistically pathogenic clostridia. The complex clade structures of C. difficile, C. perfringens, and the species that produce botulinum toxins have been delineated by whole-genome sequence analysis. The true clostridia of cluster I show relatively low levels of gross genomic rearrangements within species, in contrast to the species of cluster XI, notably C. difficile, which have been found to have very plastic genomes with significant levels of chromosomal rearrangement. Throughout the clostridial phylotypes, a large proportion of the strain diversity is driven by the acquisition and loss of mobile elements, including phages, plasmids, insertion sequences, and transposons. Genomic analysis has been used to investigate the diversity and spread of C. difficile within hospital settings, the zoonotic transfer of isolates, and the emergence, origins, and geographic spread of epidemic ribotypes. In C. perfringens the clades defined by chromosomal sequence analysis show no indications of clustering based on host species or geographical location. Whole-genome sequence analysis helps to define the different survival and pathogenesis strategies that the clostridia use. Some, such as C. botulinum, produce toxins which rapidly act to kill the host, whereas others, such as C. perfringens and C. difficile, produce less lethal toxins which can damage tissue but do not rapidly kill the host. The genomes provide a resource that can be mined to identify potential vaccine antigens and targets for other forms of therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Moore
- Host-Microbe Interactions Laboratory, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jake A Lacey
- Doherty Department, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| |
Collapse
|