Exploitation of Lactobacillus johnsonii for competitive exclusion of pathogens and improvement of poultry health status

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The poultry GI tract represents a major reservoir of Campylobacter jejuni, the principle causative agent of food borne human disease, and Clostridium perfringens which causes necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry and food borne disease in humans. Withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters has resulted in resurgence in incidence of NE which is detrimental to animal welfare and impacts on the world poultry industry causing a loss of billions of pounds in revenue. Coccidiosis can predispose birds to NE and as a result the forthcoming ban on certain coccidiostats is likely to result in a further increase in NE, placing EU producers at a significant commercial disadvantage to producers in countries outside the ban. An earlier BBSRC funded project within IFR highlighted the potential of a commensal Lactobacillus strain to competitively exclude C. perfringens and Campylobacter jejuni. We propose expanded animal tests to assess the strain¿s potential in controlling these organisms and to address the problem of coccidiosis. We also aim to assess its role in promoting gut health through alteration of the poultry gut microbiota and its role in stimulating the host immune system.

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