Effect of Phytase Derived from the AppA Gene on Weaned Piglet Performance, Apparent Total Tract Digestibility and Bone Mineralization.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of novel appAT1 and appAT2 phytase inclusion at 250 phytase units (FTU)/kg on weaned piglet performance, the apparent total tract digestibility of P and Ca, and bone mineralization. Piglets (48 males) were randomly divided into four treatment groups: a positive control (PC), with recommended levels of phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca), a negative control (NC) deficient in P and Ca, and two experimental groups with NC diets supplemented with phytase derived from the appA gene of . Diets fed in a mashed form were divided into prestarter (0-21 days) and starter (22-42 days) periods.

The VirSR two-component signal transduction system regulates NetB toxin production in Clostridium perfringens.

Clostridium perfringens causes several diseases in domestic livestock, including necrotic enteritis in chickens, which is of concern to the poultry industry due to its health implications and associated economic cost. The novel pore-forming toxin NetB is a critical virulence factor in the pathogenesis of this disease. In this study, we have examined the regulation of NetB toxin production.

Antimicrobial resistance in Clostridium perfringens isolates from broilers in Belgium.

The antimicrobial susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens strains isolated from Belgian broilers between May and September 2007 was investigated. All 39 tested isolates were sensitive to enrofloxacin, erythromycin, tylosin, florfenicol and bacitracin. Twenty-six (66%) and 24 (61%) out of the 39 tested isolates showed acquired resistance to tetracycline and lincomycin, respectively.

Intra-species growth-inhibition by Clostridium perfringens is a possible virulence trait in necrotic enteritis in broilers.

Necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens is associated with Clostridium perfringens type A, carrying the NetB toxin. C. perfringens type A is also a member of the normal intestinal microbiota of broilers.

Origin of Clostridium perfringens isolates determines the ability to induce necrotic enteritis in broilers.

Since the ban on growth-promoting antibiotics in animal feed in the European Union, necrotic enteritis has become a major cause of mortality in broiler chickens. Despite the importance of the disease, the pathogenesis is still not completely understood. In the current study, Clostridium perfringens strains isolated from healthy flocks and isolates from outbreaks of necrotic enteritis were evaluated for the ability to cause gut necrosis in an intestinal loop model in laying hens and in an experimental infection model in broilers.

Quantification of gut lesions in a subclinical necrotic enteritis model.

Currently Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis is a major problem in broiler flocks. In the present study, broilers were inoculated with a combination of Eimeria maxima or overdose coccidial vaccine (one inoculation) with C. perfringens (repeated inoculations).