Protective Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum P8 on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, and Microbiota in Eimeria-Infected Broilers

Abstract

Coccidiosis is one of the major parasitic diseases in the commercial broiler industry. Probiotics can protect poultry against Eimeria infection. However, the mechanisms are not fully known. Therefore, Lactobacillus plantarum P8 (P8) was used to investigate its anti-coccidial property and mechanism. Five hundred broilers were allocated to five treatments: control diet (NC), control diet + Eimeria infection (IC), control diet containing 1 × 107 cfu/g P8 + Eimeria infection (P8L), control diet containing 1 × 108 cfu/g P8 + Eimeria infection (P8H), and control diet + Eimeria infection + Diclazuril (DIC). At day 14, all treatments except NC were inoculated with sporulated oocysts. Results indicated that Eimeria infection increased the mortality and oocysts shedding, and declined the growth performance as well as the intestinal barrier in Eimeria-treated broilers. On the contrary, dietary supplementation of low level P8, high level P8 and DIC decreased the mortality and oocysts shedding, but improved the growth performance and intestinal barrier. The impaired intestinal morphology in the IC group was also improved by P8H and DIC treatments. Besides, the elevated oxidative stress and pro-inflammation in Eimeria-infected broilers were reduced by P8L, P8H, and DIC treatments. Metagenomic analysis indicated P8 altered the structure of the gut microbiota, and the alteration was more obvious at day 21 than day 42. Notably, IC also increased the abundances of Eimeriidae, Eimeria and Eimeria tenella at day 21, while P8L and DIC decreased the abundances. Correlation analysis revealed that bacteria in Eimeria-treated broilers positively correlated with the intestinal permeability, oxidative stress and inflammation, while bacteria in broilers receiving P8L and DIC negatively correlated with the aforementioned pathological indices. Functional prediction demonstrated that the metagenomes of Eimeria-infected broilers were involved in several diseases. But the metagenomes of P8L-treated broilers were involved in energy metabolism and replication repair. In conclusion, dietary P8 supplementation inhibited oocyst shedding and improved the growth performance as well as the intestinal health of broilers infected with Eimeria, which was closely related to the regulation of gut microbiota. Moreover, the effects of P8 may be more effective in the early infection of coccidia.

Anticoccidial and immunogenic effectivity of encapsulated organic acids and anticoccidial drugs in broilers infected with Eimeria spp.

“…In a study 35 , drinking of acetic acid resulted in protective effects against E. tenella probably by decreasing pH of ceca, obliteration of oocysts, and protection of the epithelium and finally decrease of BD in chickens. However, diclazuril were effective in reducing oocyst shedding 6 . The reduced bleeding can protect infected birds against secondary infections, inflammatory response, and toxic substances absorption 42 .…”

“…Wang et al . (2021) reported that dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum or diclazuril decreased the oocysts shedding 6 . In a study 35 , drinking acetic acid resulted in protective effects against E. tenella probably by declining pH of ceca and obliteration of oocysts in chickens.…”

“…Wang et al . , (2021) reported that dietary Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation inhibits oocyst shedding and improves the health of broilers infected with Eimeria , which was closely related to intestinal health and the regulation of gut microbiota and pH 6 . Dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum or diclazuril decreased the mortality and oocysts shedding in Eimeria treated broilers.…”

Coccidia-Microbiota Interactions and Their Effects on the Host

“…For example, diclazuril is the most common chemistry medicine in the coccidial infection, which can be used to reverse the microbial changes induced by Eimeria spp. (Wang et al, 2021). However, some research treatment of enrofloxacin and diclazuril altered the abundance of gut microbiota and their functional metabolite pathways, reducing bacterial diversity while expanding and collapsing composition of specific indigenous microbes, than formed a new microbial community (Elokil et al, 2020).…”

Recombinant Limosilactobacillus (Lactobacillus) delivering nanobodies against Clostridium perfringens NetB and alpha toxin confers potential protection from necrotic enteritis

“…Many Limosilactobacillus species have “Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS)” status from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and “Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS)” status from US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Lactobacilli are key members of the endogenous microbiota of oral, GI, respiratory, and urogenital mucosa and play a key role in regulating local microbiota, restoring barrier function, preventing inflammation associated with GI diseases, improving growth performance, and protecting against infectious diseases (Chen et al, 2021 ; Han et al, 2021 ; Hu et al, 2021 ; Klaenhammer et al, 2002 ; Li et al, 2018 ; Manes‐Lazaro et al, 2017 ; Ouwehand et al, 2002 ; Siddique et al, 2021 ; Vineetha et al, 2017 ; Y. Wang et al, 2021 ; Wu et al, 2021 ). Of particular importance, Lactobacilli have been shown to possess strong antagonistic activity against C. perfringens , inhibit toxin production, reduce proinflammatory cytokines, improve intestinal integrity and immune response, correct microbial dysbiosis, restore performance deficiencies associated with subclinical NE, and protect chickens from clinical NE (Dec et al, 2016 ; Gong et al, 2020 ; Guo et al, 2017 , 2021 ; Khalique et al, 2019 ; Kizerwetter‐Swida & Binek, 2005 , 2009 , 2016 ; La Cao et al, 2012 ; La Ragione et al, 2004 ; Li et al, 2017 ; Shojadoost et al, 2022 ; Xu et al, 2020 ).…”