title: The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol predisposes for the development of Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens.
abstract: Both mycotoxin contamination of feed and Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis have an increasing global economic impact on poultry production. Especially the Fusarium mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common feed contaminant. This study aimed at examining the predisposing effect of DON on the development of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens. An experimental Clostridium perfringens infection study revealed that DON, at a contamination level of 3,000 to 4,000 µg/kg feed, increased the percentage of birds with subclinical necrotic enteritis from 20±2.6% to 47±3.0% (P<0.001). DON significantly reduced the transepithelial electrical resistance in duodenal segments (P<0.001) and decreased duodenal villus height (P = 0.014) indicating intestinal barrier disruption and intestinal epithelial damage, respectively. This may lead to an increased permeability of the intestinal epithelium and decreased absorption of dietary proteins. Protein analysis of duodenal content indeed showed that DON contamination resulted in a significant increase in total protein concentration (P = 0.023). Furthermore, DON had no effect on in vitro growth, alpha toxin production and netB toxin transcription of Clostridium perfringens. In conclusion, feed contamination with DON at concentrations below the European maximum guidance level of 5,000 µg/kg feed, is a predisposing factor for the development of necrotic enteritis in broilers. These results are associated with a negative effect of DON on the intestinal barrier function and increased intestinal protein availability, which may stimulate growth and toxin production of Clostridium perfringens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Gunther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Antonissen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Immerseel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pasmans
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ducatelle
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Freddy
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haesebrouck
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Leen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Timbermont
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verlinden
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Geert Paul Jules
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Venessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Eeckhaut
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eeckhout
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Saeger
authors.affiliation: Biomin Research Center, Tulln, Austria.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hessenberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Siska
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Croubels
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D004386:Duodenum / Q000378:metabolism; D004751:Enteritis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009336:Necrosis / Q000473:pathology; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D014255:Trichothecenes / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014255:Trichothecenes; C007262:deoxynivalenol