title: Effect of Bacillus-based direct-fed microbials on Eimeria maxima infection in broiler chickens.
abstract: The effect of dietary Bacillus-based direct-fed microbials (DFMs; eight single strains designated as Bs2084, LSSAO1, 3AP4, Bs18, 15AP4, 22CP1, Bs27, and Bs278, and one multiple-strain DFM product [AVICORR]) on growth performance, intestinal lesions, and innate and acquired immunities were evaluated in broiler chickens following Eimeria maxima (EM) infection. EM-induced reduction of body weight gain and intestinal lesions were significantly decreased by addition of 15AP4 or Bs27 into broiler diets compared with EM-infected control birds. Serum nitric oxide levels were increased in infected chickens fed with Bs27, but lowered in those given Bs2084, LSSAO1, 3AP4 or 15AP4 compared with the infected controls. Recombinant coccidial antigen (3-1E)-stimulated spleen cell proliferation was increased in chickens given Bs27, 15AP4, LSSAO1, 3AP4, or Bs18, compared with the infected controls. Finally, all experimental diets increased concanavalin A-induced splenocyte mitogenesis in infected broilers compared with the nonsupplemented and infected controls. In summary, dietary Bacillus subtilis-based DFMs reduced the clinical signs of experimental avian coccidiosis and increased various parameters of immunity in broiler chickens in a strain-dependent manner.
authors.affiliation: Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
authors.forename: Kyung-Woo
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyun S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lillehoj
authors.forename: Seung I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Guangxing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Sung-Hyen
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Erik P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Lillehoj
authors.forename: Gregory R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Siragusa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D001407:Bacillus; D002645:Chickens; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004032:Diet; D004539:Eimeria / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D056747:Immunomodulation; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D009569:Nitric Oxide