title: Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus and inulin on faecal viral shedding and immunization against H9 N2 Avian influenza virus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this investigation were to compare the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus addition as simple or microencapsulated (ME) probiotic and inulin as prebiotic to the broiler diet on the faecal viral shedding and immunization against avian influenza virus (AIV) with or without H9 N2 vaccination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Simple or ME forms of Lact. acidophilus, inulin and combination of them as synbiotic were analysed for their ability to enhance immunity against H9 N2 AIV and to decrease faecal viral shedding in Cobb-500 broiler chicks. Our results indicated that probiotic as ME form can decrease haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titre significantly on days 34 in vaccinated trial (P < 0·05). Also, the effects of ME form of probiotic are more remarkable on reduction of viral faecal shedding detected by RT-PCR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows the significant role of microencapsulation on probiotic effects against H9 N2 AIV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of probiotics especially in the ME form could have the potential for stimulating the immune system, preventing influenza infection and consequently reduce faecal viral shedding of H9 N2 AIV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Avian Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Poorbaghi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dadras
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Gheisari
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mosleh
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Firouzi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roohallazadeh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; D053127:Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D007444:Inulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus; D056692:Prebiotics; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014611:Vaccination; D017201:Virus Shedding
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D056692:Prebiotics; D007444:Inulin
keywords: Lactobacillus acidophilus; avian influenza; inulin; microencapsulation; prebiotic; probiotic