Rethinking our understanding of the pathogenesis of necrotic enteritis in chickens.
For decades, low doses of antibiotics have been used widely in animal production to promote growth. However, there is a trend to reduce this use of antibiotics in feedstuffs, and legislation is now in place in Europe to prohibit their use in this way. As a consequence, economically important diseases, such as necrotic enteritis (NE) of chickens, that are caused by Clostridium perfringens have become more prevalent. Recent research is creating a paradigm shift in our understanding of the pathogenesis of NE and is now providing information that will be necessary to monitor and control the incidence of NE in poultry.
Van Immerseel
Filip
F
Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Research Group Veterinary Public Health and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Rood
Julian I
JI
Moore
Robert J
RJ
Titball
Richard W
RW
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004751:Enteritis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D009336:Necrosis / Q000662:veterinary; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*