Effects of a novel, non-invasive pre-hatch application of probiotic for broilers on development of cecum microbiota and production performance.

Background: Probiotics are used in the broiler industry to increase production performance. Most often a probiotic is applied by mixing it in the feed, but studies have shown that earlier application may be advantageous. Therefore, in ovo application where the probiotic is administrated into the egg before hatch has been investigated as an alternative application method.

Complete association between CHCF1 genotype and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4ab-associated post-weaning diarrhea in a pig challenge trial.

Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) susceptibility in pigs is highly influenced by their genotype. The aim of this study was to determine the association between CHCF1 genotype and ETEC F4ab susceptibility in experimentally infected pigs.

Post-weaning diarrhea in pigs from a single Danish production herd was not associated with the pre-weaning fecal microbiota composition and diversity.

Introduction: The association between the porcine pre-weaning gut microbiota composition and diversity, and subsequent post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) susceptibility is currently being studied. In this longitudinal study, we examined the association between pre-weaning fecal microbiome composition and diversity, and PWD development in a Danish sow herd.

Methods: Forty-five pigs were followed from birth until 7 days after weaning (post-natal day (PND) 33).

Prevalence of Potential Pathogenic and Antimicrobial Resistant in Danish Broilers.

Avian pathogenic (APEC) are important bacteria in broiler production in terms of economy, welfare, and use of antibiotics. During a previous outbreak of APEC in the Nordic countries, it was suggested that the pathogenic clones of causing the outbreak originated from grandparent stock and were transmitted to the offspring, causing increased first week mortality. This study investigated whether the pathogenic potential of at the parent and broiler level differs in relation to pathogenic potential described by the level of virulence-associated genes and pattern of antimicrobial resistance.

Pilot study on CHCF1 genotype in a pig challenge model for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4ab/ac associated post-weaning diarrhea.

Host genotype is important for enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) susceptibility. We conducted two trials to evaluate the effect of CHCF1 genotype on incidence of ETEC diarrhea.

Research Note: The effect of a probiotic E. faecium 669 mitigating Salmonella Enteritidis colonization of broiler chickens by improved gut integrity.

In this study, we investigate the effect of the probiotic E. faecium 669 strain on the gut integrity of broilers and the effect on intestinal colonization with Salmonella Enteritidis. In the in vivo experiment, 120-day-old broilers (Ross 308) were divided into 4 equally sized groups.

Whole genome sequence comparison of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli from acute and chronic salpingitis of egg laying hens.

Background: Infection in the oviduct (salpingitis) is the most common bacterial infection in egg laying hens and is mainly caused by Escherichia coli. The disease is responsible for decreased animal welfare, considerable economic loss as well as a risk of horizontal and vertical transmission of pathogenic E. coli.

Longitudinal Study on Causes of Mortality in Danish Broiler Breeders.

Broiler production is highly dependent on good health in the parent flocks. The so-called normal mortality in these flocks remains to be addressed to further reduce mortality of the breeders and to improve the quality of broilers. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to investigate the etiology of this breeder mortality to map out possible critical periods during production in relation to possible risks of importance to the offspring.

Correlation between footpad lesions and systemic bacterial infections in broiler breeders.

Footpad lesions are an important factor in evaluation of animal welfare in broilers regulated by law; however, no legal requirements have been set for the parent birds. Nevertheless, the present study confirms that foot health in broiler breeders declines significantly with increasing age, thus potentially impairing the animal welfare due to pain and discomfort from footpad dermatitis. Furthermore, this is the first report demonstrating a correlation between the presence of footpad lesions and systemic bacterial infections with Gram-positive cocci in broiler breeder birds.

Diversity and Population Overlap between Avian and Human Escherichia coli Belonging to Sequence Type 95.

Avian-pathogenic (APEC) is a subgroup of extraintestinal pathogenic (ExPEC) presumed to be zoonotic and to represent an external reservoir for extraintestinal infections in humans, including uropathogenic (UPEC) causing urinary tract infections. Comparative genomics has previously been applied to investigate whether APEC and human ExPEC are distinct entities. Even so, whole-genome-based studies are limited, and large-scale comparisons focused on single sequence types (STs) are not available yet.

Staphylococcus agnetis, a potential pathogen in broiler breeders.

In this study, four broiler parent flocks have been followed from the onset of the production period (week 20) until slaughter (week 60). Every week, approximately ten dead broiler breeders, randomly selected among birds dead on their own, were collected and subjected to a full post mortem analysis including bacteriological examination. In total 997 breeders were investigated and for the first time Staphylococcus agnetis was isolated in pure culture from cases of endocarditis and septicemia from 16 broiler breeders.

Longitudinal study of transmission of Escherichia coli from broiler breeders to broilers.

Escherichia coli is of major importance in industrial broiler production as the main cause of salpingitis and peritonitis in broiler breeders. Furthermore E. coli is the most common cause of first week mortality in broiler chickens.

Enterococcus and Streptococcus spp. associated with chronic and self-medicated urinary tract infections in Vietnam.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common infections among women worldwide. E. coli often causes more than 75% of acute uncomplicated UTI, however, little is known about how recurrent UTIs and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials affect the aetiology of UTIs.

Enterococcus faecalis clones in poultry and in humans with urinary tract infections, Vietnam.

Enterococcus spp. as pathogens have increased, but the sources of infection often remain unclear. To investigate whether poultry might be a reservoir for E.

Occurrence of haemolytic Mannheimia spp. in apparently healthy sheep in Norway.

Background: The occurrence of Mannheimia species in healthy sheep has only been investigated to a very limited extend since the genus and its five named species were established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of haemolytic Mannheimia species in apparently healthy sheep originating from four sheep flocks in South-Western Norway.

Methods: Typical beta-haemolytic Pasteurellaceae were isolated from nasal swabs and subsequently subjected to bacteriological examination.