Competitive reduction of poultry-borne enteric bacterial pathogens in chicken gut with bioactive Lactobacillus casei

Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 1;10(1):16259. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73316-5.

Abstract

In this study, the effect of sustainable probiotics on Campylobacter jejuni colonization and gut microbiome composition was evaluated using chicken as a model organism. Chickens were given Lactobacillus casei over-expressing myosin-cross-reactive antigen (LC+mcra). LC+mcra can generate bioactive compounds in larger quantity including conjugated linoleic acid. A total of 120 chickens were used in duplicate trials to investigate the effectiveness of LC+mcra in decreasing C. jejuni colonization by means of kanamycin resistant strain compared to the control group. We observed that LC+mcra can efficiently colonize various parts of the chicken gut and competitively reduce colonization of natural and challenged C. jejuni and natural Salmonella enterica. LC+mcra was found to reduce C. jejuni colonization in cecum, ileum and jejunum, by more than one log CFU/g when compared to the no-probiotic control group. Furthermore, 16S rRNA compositional analysis revealed lower abundance of Proteobacteria, higher abundance of Firmicutes, along with enriched bacterial genus diversity in gut of LC+mcra fed chicken. Decreased contamination of drinking water by C. jejuni and S. enterica was also observed, suggesting a potential function of reducing horizontal transfer of enteric bacteria in poultry. Outcomes of this study reveal high potential of LC+mcra as sustainable approach to decrease colonization of C. jejuni and S. enterica in poultry gut along with other beneficial attributes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Campylobacter Infections / prevention & control
  • Campylobacter Infections / veterinary
  • Campylobacter jejuni
  • Chickens / microbiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Lacticaseibacillus casei / metabolism*
  • Poultry Diseases / microbiology
  • Poultry Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use*
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / prevention & control
  • Salmonella enterica