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Fumonisins affect the intestinal microbial homeostasis in broiler chickens, predisposing to necrotic enteritis.

Authors :
Antonissen, Gunther
Croubels, Siska
Pasmans, Frank
Ducatelle, Richard
Eeckhaut, Venessa
Devreese, Mathias
Verlinden, Marc
Haesebrouck, Freddy
Eeckhout, Mia
De Saeger, Sarah
Antlinger, Birgit
Novak, Barbara
Martel, An
Van Immerseel, Filip
Source :
Veterinary Research; 9/23/2015, Vol. 46 Issue 1, p1-11, 11p
Publication Year :
2015

Abstract

Fumonisins (FBs) are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium fungi. This study aimed to investigate the effect of these feed contaminants on the intestinal morphology and microbiota composition, and to evaluate whether FBs predispose broilers to necrotic enteritis. One-day-old broiler chicks were divided into a group fed a control diet, and a group fed a FBs contaminated diet (18.6 mg FB1+FB2/kg feed). A significant increase in the plasma sphinganine/sphingosine ratio in the FBs-treated group (0.21 ± 0.016) compared to the control (0.14 ± 0.014) indicated disturbance of the sphingolipid biosynthesis. Furthermore, villus height and crypt depth of the ileum was significantly reduced by FBs. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis showed a shift in the microbiota composition in the ileum in the FBs group compared to the control. A reduced presence of low-GC containing operational taxonomic units in ileal digesta of birds exposed to FBs was demonstrated, and identified as a reduced abundance of Candidatus Savagella and Lactobaccilus spp. Quantification of total Clostridium perfringens in these ileal samples, previous to experimental infection, using cpa gene (alpha toxin) quantification by qPCR showed an increase in C. perfringens in chickens fed a FBs contaminated diet compared to control (7.5 ± 0.30 versus 6.3 ± 0.24 log10 copies/g intestinal content). After C. perfringens challenge, a higher percentage of birds developed subclinical necrotic enteritis in the group fed a FBs contaminated diet as compared to the control (44.9 ± 2.22% versus 29.8 ± 5.46%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09284249
Volume :
46
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Veterinary Research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
110029987
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13567-015-0234-8