Methods of controlling Clostridium perfringens “an overview” C D Parker Slate Hall Veterinary Practice

Necrotic enteritis

Enteritis

Pododermatitis

Necrotic enteritis Feed factors wheat Grist fishmeal nutrient density Disease of the intestine adenoviruses IB variant Gumboro CAV Immunosuppression stocking density vitamins/ trace-elements enzymes coccidiosis assay levels resistance Antimicrobial activity digestive enhancer ionophore chemical Physical factors litter Contamination?

Methods of controlling Clostridium perfingens Treatment options –Antimicrobials Drinking water treatment –Amoxycillin –Lincospectin –Tylan

Methods of controlling Clostridium perfingens Current medicinal strategies for prevention –Antimicrobials Digestive enhancers Ionophore coccidiostats Penicillins in feed Strategic drinking water treatment –Amoxycillin –Lincospectin –Tylan

Necrotic enteritis Feed factors wheat Grist fishmeal nutrient density vitamins/ trace-elements enzymes Contamination?

Necrotic Enteritis and Feed Interactions Carbohydrate Source –cereal type and quality –enzymes –particle size(Grist) Ferket, 1996

Corn/Wheat and Necrotic Enteritis Wheat roller Corn hammer Wheat hammer Corn (H) Wheat (R) Corn(H) Wheat (H) Branton and Rees, 1986

Corn/Wheat/Rye and Barley and Necrotic Enteritis WheatCornBarleyRye Riddell and Kong, 1992

Reducing viscosity means less clostridial proliferation Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) added to increase viscosity Smits, 1996 ProximalDistal

Necrotic Enteritis and Feed Interactions Protein source –fishmeal biogenic amines, histamine, tyramine –poorly digested protein (feather meal) –inadequately cooked protein (soyabean meal) Other factors –mycotoxins tricothecene aflatoxin - immunosuppression –excessively high copper/zinc levels –oxidised fat Diet concentration Ferket, 1996

Necrotic Enteritis and Feed Interactions Protein source –Fishmeal Biogenic amines –gut damage –Poor quality protein –Under or overcooked protein Substrates for proteolytic bacteria in the lower gut Favour the Clostridial spp

Necrotic Enteritis and Feed Interactions Other feed factors –mycotoxins tricothecene –gut damage Aflatoxin – immunosuppression –oxidised fat

Necrotic Enteritis and Feed Interactions Feed management and gut fill –Feeder breakdowns –Feeding and lighting programs –Whole wheat feeding

Necrotic enteritis Disease of the intestine adenoviruses IB variant coccidiosis resistance

Intestinal Health Intestinal damage favors Clostridial growth –Coccidiosis –Gut trophic virus –Biogenic amines

Necrotic Enteritis and Coccidiosis Shane et al, 1985 P = 0.001

Necrotic enteritis

Intestinal Health Critical to the control of NE to have good intestinal health –Coccidiosis control Effective coccidiostats Good inter crop hygiene Adequate turn around times –Effective vaccination programs Prevent gut trophic viruses

Reducing the Clostridial challenge Site challenge –Terminal hygiene –Turn around time Intestinal clostridial levels –Preventing the establishment of Clostridia –Dietary management –Other methods novel products

Novel products Probiotics A specific living culture ( Lactobacillus ) –favors the establishment of an intestinal population of beneficial organisms –inhibit pathogen multiplication ( bacteriocin ) –stimulate immune function –reduce cell wall damage Continuous supply in feed

Novel products Competitive exclusion Broad spectrum culture of non pathogenic microflora –promotes the development of beneficial population of microflora in the young bird ( ‘ seeding the gut ‘) –colonization of the gut wall –prevent pathogenic bacteria becoming established

Novel products Nucleotides Ascogen biological mixture of nucleotides, metabolites and yeast –probiotic effect –stimulation of Lactobacilli Continuous administration in feed

Novel products Oligosaccharides Biomoss Mannose Oligosaccharides –complex with pathogenic bacteria binding sites –stimulate immune response –enhance macrophage activity Fructose Oligosaccharides –favour growth of Lactobacilli & Bifidobacteria –inhibit growth of pathogenic ( gram -ve ) bacteria

Organic Acids Propionic/Formic acids or salts Control microbial status of feed –antimicrobial –gut pH effect improved enzyme activity limited detrimental effect on gut microflora reduced binding of pathogens to gut wall

Novel Products Plant extracts Yucca –reduces ammonia production –antiprotozoal activity –reduced gut cell wall damage –reduced opportunity for development of pathogenic bacteria Plant extracts Sanguinaria –stimulates liver & digestive function –improved digestibility –improved gut microbial status

Novel products Snake oils Essential Oils –antimicrobial ? –enhance gut function –promote development of beneficial gut microflora

Novel products Variety of products coming onto the market No licensing required Wide ranging claims Not independently assessed Need careful evaluation

Methods of controlling Clostridium perfingens Conclusions –Diet has a major impact on gut flora and the development of enteritis –Intestinal health is a major factor in the development of NE –Effective hygiene –Rapid therapy is important to the outcome of clinical episodes –New products need careful evaluation

Methods of controlling Clostridium perfingens