Experimental Production of Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The present study was conducted to isolate and identify the Clostridium perfringens, the etiology of necrotic enteritis (NE) from broiler chickens and experimental production of NE with this isolate. A total of 50 samples were collected from jejunum of necropsied birds for isolation and identification of Cl. perfringens. Out of 50 samples, only 4 isolates of Cl. perfringens were isolated and identified (prevalence 8%). In experimental NE, the birds of group A (orally administered with only 0.1 ml (1x10 3 sporulated Eimeria acervulina oocysts/bird) showed dullness, ruffled feather, vent feather soiled with bloody faeces after 1 week of coccidial challenge. The birds of group B (orally administered 1x10 3 sporulated Eimeria acervulina oocysts/bird and 1 ml of 2 days old broth culture of Cl. perfringens) showed severe depression, ruffled feathers, bloody faeces with fibrinous cast with 80% prevalence rate and 30% mortality in experimental NE. The birds of group C (orally inoculated with 1 ml of 2 days old broth culture of Cl. perfringens) showed no striking clinical, gross and histopathological lesions. Postmortem changes in small intestine (duodenum) were congestion and haemorrhages specially for birds of group A. The most severe gross lesions comprised of ascites, enlarged liver and heart, intestinal distension, profuse haemorrhage, fibrinous cast, fragile intestinal wall and gas bubble formation in the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) of birds of group B. Histologically, birds of group B showed hemorrhage and congestion in liver, heart and intestine, desquamation of intestinal epithelium and intense leukocytic infiltration in intestine, liver and heart. The findings obtained from this study showed that simultaneous coccidial infection enhanced the pathological lesions of NE.

The comparative analysis of infection pattern and oocyst output in Eimeria tenella, E. maxima and E. acervulina in young broiler chicken

“…The histological finding in this study confirmed the diagnosis of each species as showed presence of gametocyte with the characteristic inflammatory cells in duodenal part of intestine. The fact which is agreed with Hein [18] and Asaduzzaman [19].…”

Toxin Genotyping of <i>C. perfringens</i> Isolated from Broiler Cases of Necrotic Enteritis

“…Indeed, the bacteria live commensally in the gut under normal conditions, but when the gut microecology is drastically altered, these bacteria can proliferate. In acute form, NE causes sudden death of many birds within a few hours, without showing any clinical signs of the disease [2], however, Sub-clinical form may be the most important manifestation of enteritis as it is likely to go undetected and hence untreated [3]. In the global poultry industry, NE is considered an emerging billion-dollar disease [4,5].…”

“…Moreover, it was found be associated with net B positive C. perfringens type A strains [10]. Beta 2 toxin (β 2 ) and its encoding gene cpb 2 had been demonstrated in avian C. perfringens type A strains [11] but its exact role in pathogenesis was needed to be further elucidated. The amino acid sequence of cpb 2 showed no significant homologies with cpb 1 from the beta toxin (15%) or other known proteins.…”

“…Beta 2 toxin (β 2 ) and its encoding gene cpb 2 had been demonstrated in avian C. perfringens type A strains [11] but its exact role in pathogenesis was needed to be further elucidated. The amino acid sequence of cpb 2 showed no significant homologies with cpb 1 from the beta toxin (15%) or other known proteins. Although its biological activity was similar to that of beta toxin, it may possess weaker cytotoxic activity [12].…”

Effect of Carbohydrate Rich Diet on Experimental Pathology of Necrotic Enteritis in Broilers

“…Mortality due to necrotic enteritis is higher if they are feed on high concentration of wheat, rye, barley and protein (AlSheikhly and Truscott, 1977;Ferdoush et al, 2013). The effect of coccidiosis (Shane et al, 1985;Asaduzzaman et al, 2011) and high protein diet (Ferdoush et al, 2013) in the production of necrotic enteritis have been investigated in Bangladesh. To our knowledge, the effect of high carbohydrate diet in the production of necrotic enteritis has not been investigated.…”