Preventing bacterial disease in poultry in the post-antibiotic era: a case for innate immunity modulation as an alternative to antibiotic use

Abstract

The widespread use of antibiotics in the poultry industry has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which pose a significant health risk to humans and animals. These public health concerns, which have led to legislation limiting antibiotic use in animals, drive the need to find alternative strategies for controlling and treating bacterial infections. Modulation of the avian innate immune system using immunostimulatory compounds provides a promising solution to enhance poultry immune responses to a broad range of bacterial infections without the risk of generating antibiotic resistance. An array of immunomodulatory compounds have been investigated for their impact on poultry performance and immune responses. However, further research is required to identify compounds capable of controlling bacterial infections without detrimentally affecting bird performance. It is also crucial to determine the safety and effectiveness of these compounds in conjunction with poultry vaccines. This review provides an overview of the various immune modulators known to enhance innate immunity against avian bacterial pathogens in chickens, and describes the mechanisms involved.

Porcine β-Defensin 114: Creating a Dichotomous Response to Inflammation

“…Similarly, many pro-inflammatory mediators have been associated with an enhanced resistance to a range of important poultry and pig pathogens in livestock animals. However, inflammation may have undesirable consequences, including potentially exacerbating tissue damage and diverting the nutrients from productive purposes [4][5][6]. These detrimental effects underscore the necessity for a delicate balance in the inflammatory response; when this balance is disrupted, it can have severe implications for human and animal health [7,8].…”

Unveiling the Antimicrobial Potential of Terminalia chebula Fruits in Poultry Feed: A Natural Alternative for Enhanced Food Safety and Animal Health

“…Despite the various methods available to combat microbes, a substantial number of antibiotics have been utilized in the treatment of food borne diseases in poultry. However, these antibiotics have demonstrated significant side effects, raising health concerns in both poultry and humans alike [8]. In this situation, it is necessary to follow the alternative method of medical plan [9].…”