The Feed Additive Potassium Diformate Prevents Salmonella enterica Serovar Pullorum Infection and Affects Intestinal Flora in Chickens

Abstract

Extensive studies have shown that potassium diformate (KDF), an antibiotic substitute used as a feed additive, improves animal growth performance, although there is less direct evidence of its preventive effect on bacterial infections and its influence on the intestinal flora of animals. In this study, the inhibition effect of KDF on Salmonella enterica serovar Pullorum, an important enteric pathogen causing pullorum disease, was investigated in vitro and on a chicken infection model. The effect of KDF on the diversities and structures of chicken duodenal and cecum flora were also investigated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that addition of 0.5% KDF in feed or 0.1% KDF in drinking water significantly reduced the bacterial loads and the degree of pathological changes in the cecum, improved digestion and reduced the pH of the gastrointestinal tract of chickens infected with S. pullorum. KDF also significantly modified the diversity and abundance of intestinal microflorae in chickens. In particular, it promoted the colonization of several probiotics, such as Bacteroides, Blautia, Ruminococcus_torques_group and Faecalibacteriumm, which are involved in maintenance of the intestinal barrier, modulation of inflammation, energy supply for intestinal cells and pathogen resistance. These results enrich the theoretical basis for the clinical application of KDF in chickens.

Research Note: The effect of photoperiod on the NLRP3 inflammasome and gut microbiota in broiler chickens

“…The relative abundance of Bacteroides was significantly decreased and Ruminococcus_torques_group was significantly increased in the 23L:1D group, compared with the 12L:12D group ( P < 0.05). As the most common and abundant members of the gut microbiota, Bacteroides have long been considered as symbiotic colonizers, playing roles in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, anti-inflammation, and resisting intestinal pathogens ( Sun et al, 2022 ). In chickens, the supplementation of potassium diformate promoted the colonization of several probiotics, such as Bacteroides, Blautia, and Faecalibacterium , which are participate in regulation of inflammation and maintenance of the intestinal barrier ( Sun et al, 2022 ).…”

“…As the most common and abundant members of the gut microbiota, Bacteroides have long been considered as symbiotic colonizers, playing roles in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, anti-inflammation, and resisting intestinal pathogens ( Sun et al, 2022 ). In chickens, the supplementation of potassium diformate promoted the colonization of several probiotics, such as Bacteroides, Blautia, and Faecalibacterium , which are participate in regulation of inflammation and maintenance of the intestinal barrier ( Sun et al, 2022 ). In our laboratory, previous studies have found that an increase in the relative abundance of Ruminococcus_torques_group in the intestine is involved in tracheal inflammatory injury ( Zhou et al, 2022 ).…”

Application of Organic Acid Salts as Feed Additives in Some Aquatic Organisms: Potassium Diformate

“…Adding KDF to the feed is a preventive alternative for maintaining the health of farmed fish. This can lower the intestinal pH [62], suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria, mainly Gram-negative bacteria, aid in nutrient digestion and absorption, and have beneficial effects on animals' production performance [19]. KDF enhances the feed performance.…”

JMM Profile: Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum, biovars Pullorum and Gallinarum

“…Attempts at control of FT should focus on prompt removal of affected birds and biosecure disposal of carcasses [6]. Experimentally, organic acids in feed or water appear to suppress mortality and reduce intestinal colonisation of chicks following oral inoculation of SP [26][27][28] or SG [29,30], or exposure to SG seeder birds [31]. However, at present corresponding field studies are not reported.…”