Effect of oral egg antibody in experimental F18+ Escherichia coli infection in weaned pigs

Methodology and application of Escherichia coli F4 and F18 encoding infection models in post-weaning pigs

The enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) expressing F4 and F18 fimbriae are the two main pathogens associated with post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets. The growing global concern regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has encouraged research into the development of nutritional and feeding strategies as well as vaccination protocols in order to counteract the PWD due to ETEC. A valid approach to researching effective strategies is to implement piglet in vivo challenge models with ETEC infection. Thus, the proper application and standardization of ETEC F4 and F18 challenge models represent an urgent priority. The current review provides an overview regarding the current piglet ETEC F4 and F18 challenge models; it highlights the key points for setting the challenge protocols and the most important indicators which should be included in research studies to verify the effectiveness of the ETEC challenge.

Based on the current review, it is recommended that the setting of the model correctly assesses the choice and preconditioning of pigs, and the timing and dosage of the ETEC inoculation. Furthermore, the evaluation of the ETEC challenge response should include both clinical parameters (such as the occurrence of diarrhea, rectal temperature and bacterial fecal shedding) and biomarkers for the specific expression of ETEC F4/F18 (such as antibody production, specific F4/F18 immunoglobulins (Igs), ETEC F4/F18 fecal enumeration and analysis of the F4/F18 receptors expression in the intestinal brush borders). On the basis of the review, the piglets’ response upon F4 or F18 inoculation differed in terms of the timing and intensity of the diarrhea development, on ETEC fecal shedding and in the piglets’ immunological antibody response. This information was considered to be relevant to correctly define the experimental protocol, the data recording and the sample collections. Appropriate challenge settings and evaluation of the response parameters will allow future research studies to comply with the replacement, reduction and refinement (3R) approach, and to be able to evaluate the efficiency of a given feeding, nutritional or vaccination intervention in order to combat ETEC infection.

Passive immunisation, an old idea revisited: Basic principles and application to modern animal production systems

Immunisation by administration of antibodies (immunoglobulins) has been known for more than one hundred years as a very efficient means of obtaining immediate, short-lived protection against infection and/or against the disease-causing effects of toxins from microbial pathogens and from other sources. Thus, due to its rapid action, passive immunisation is often used to treat disease caused by infection and/or toxin exposure. However immunoglobulins may also be administered prior to exposure to infection and/or toxin, although they will not provide long-lasting protection as is seen with active immunisation (vaccination) in which an immunological memory is established by controlled exposure of the host to the pathogen in question. With multi-factorial infectious diseases in production animals, especially those that have proven hard to control by vaccination, the potential of passive immunisation remains big. This review highlights a number of examples on the use of passive immunisation for the control of infectious disease in the modern production of a range of animals, including pigs, cattle, sheep, goat, poultry and fish. Special emphasis is given on the enablement of passive immunisation strategies in these production systems through low cost and ease of use as well as on the sources, composition and purity of immunoglobulin preparations used and their benefits as compared to current measures, including vaccination (also comprising maternal vaccination), antibiotics and feed additives such as spray-dried plasma. It is concluded that provided highly efficient, relatively low-price immunoglobulin products are available, passive immunisation has a clear role in the modern animal production sector as a means of controlling infectious diseases, importantly with a very low risk of causing development of bacterial resistance, thus constituting a real and widely applicable alternative to antibiotics.

Chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) as non-antibiotic production enhancers for use in swine production: a review

In recent years, the use of in-feed antibiotics for growth and disease prevention in livestock production has been under severe scrutiny. The use and misuse of in-feed antibiotics has led to problems with drug residues in animal products and increased bacterial resistance. Chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) have attracted considerable attention as an alternative to antibiotics to maintain swine health and performance. Oral administration of IgY possesses many advantages over mammalian IgG such as cost-effectiveness, convenience and high yield. This review presents an overview of the potential to use IgY immunotherapy for the prevention and treatment of swine diarrhea diseases and speculates on the future of IgY technology. Included are a review of the potential applications of IgY in the control of enteric infections of either bacterial or viral origin such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., rotavirus, porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus, and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. Some potential obstacles to the adoption of IgY technology are also discussed.

Chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) as non-antibiotic production enhancers for use in swine production: a review

In recent years, the use of in-feed antibiotics for growth and disease prevention in livestock production has been under severe scrutiny. The use and misuse of in-feed antibiotics has led to problems with drug residues in animal products and increased bacterial resistance. Chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) have attracted considerable attention as an alternative to antibiotics to maintain swine health and performance. Oral administration of IgY possesses many advantages over mammalian IgG such as cost-effectiveness, convenience and high yield. This review presents an overview of the potential to use IgY immunotherapy for the prevention and treatment of swine diarrhea diseases and speculates on the future of IgY technology. Included are a review of the potential applications of IgY in the control of enteric infections of either bacterial or viral origin such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., rotavirus, porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus, and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. Some potential obstacles to the adoption of IgY technology are also discussed.

Use of Candida-specific chicken egg yolk antibodies to inhibit the adhering of Candida to denture base materials: prevention of denture stomatitis

OBJECTIVES

Polyclonal anti-Candida chicken egg yolk antibodies (anti-IgY) were used to investigate the prevention of adherence of Candida species to denture base material in vitro.

BACKGROUND

Candida is a potential virulence factor that can cause systemic infection and even death in immunocompromised individuals. Because long-term antifungal treatment may lead to the emergence of drug-resistant strains, it is necessary to develop novel preventive measures and treatments for candidiasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three types of chicken egg yolk antibodies were used in this study: non-specific antibody (control IgY), Candida albicans-specific antibody (anti-C.a.IgY) and Candida glabrata-specific antibody (anti-C.g.IgY). A mixture of different dilutions of each antibody with a suspension of Candida species and denture base material was incubated for 3 h, and then the colony-forming units of Candida on the denture base material were counted.

RESULTS

Compared with control IgY, anti-C.a.IgY and anti-C.g.IgY significantly inhibited the adherence of C. albicans, but anti-C.a.IgY tended to be more potent than anti-C.g.IgY. The adherence of C. glabrata was also inhibited significantly by anti-C.a.IgY and anti-C.g.IgY with almost equivalent potency, indicating that their actions against C. glabrata were comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the inhibitory effects of anti-C.a.IgY and anti-C.g.IgY against the adherence of C. albicans and C. glabrata to denture base material. This finding indicates the possibility of a beneficial effect of IgYs for the prevention of denture stomatitis and candidiasis in clinical settings.

Production of egg yolk antibodies specific to house dust mite proteins

PURPOSE

House dust mites (HDMs) are an important source of indoor allergens associated with asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Chicken immunoglobulin (Ig) Y is known to be a good alternative to mice and rabbit antibody production. In this study, we produced IgYs specific to HDMs and investigated their IgE immunoreactivities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Total IgYs were isolated from the yolks of White Leghorn hens immunized with either Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus or D. farinae protein extract. Control antibodies were separated from the yolks of immunized hens with phosphate buffered saline. IgYs specific to HDMs were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting analysis.

RESULTS

The concentration of egg IgY specific to D. farinae in an immunized hen increased and the highest achieved was 661.3 ug/mg (per an egg) on day 47, compared with 760 ug/mg IgY specific to D. pteronyssinus on day 16. The D. pteronyssinus or D. farinae-specific IgY was detected by binding of each mite proteins, and their immunoreactivities were elevated dependent of the specific IgY concentration.

CONCLUSION

IgY specific to HDMs may be a promising antibody for immunological diagnosis as well as identification of possible resistance relating to HDM allergy.

Effect of chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) against diarrhea in domesticated animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

IgY antibodies are serum immunoglobulin in birds, reptiles and amphibians, and are transferred from serum to egg yolk to confer passive immunity to their embryos and offspring. Currently, the oral passive immunization using chicken IgY has been focused as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment and control of diarrhea in animals and humans. This systematic review was focused to determine the effect of IgY in controlling and preventing diarrhea in domesticated animals including Piglets, Mice, Poultry and Calves.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Previous research reports focused on treatment effect of Chicken IgY against diarrhea were retrieved from different electronic data bases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPRINGER-LINK, WILEY, AGRICOLA, MEDWELL Journals, Scientific Publish, Chinese articles from Core periodicals in 2012). A total of 61 studies in 4 different animal classes met the inclusion criteria. Data on study characteristics and outcome measures were extracted. The pooled relative risk (RR) of 49 studies of different animals [Piglets--22; Mice--14; Poultry--7 and Calves--6] in meta-analyses revealed that, IgY significantly reduced the risk of diarrhea in treatment group when compare to the placebo. However, the 95% confidence intervals of the majority of studies in animal class piglets and calves embrace RR of one. The same results were obtained in sub group analyses (treatment regiment--prophylactic or therapeutic; pathogen type--bacterial or viral). Perhaps, this inconsistency in the effect of IgY at the individual study level and overall effect measures could be influenced by the methodological heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

The present systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis demonstrated the beneficial effect of IgY. This supports the opinion that IgY is useful for prophylaxis and treatment. However, more intensive studies using the gold standard animal experiments with the focus to use IgY alone or in combination with other alternative strategies are indispensable.

Effect of chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) against diarrhea in domesticated animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

IgY antibodies are serum immunoglobulin in birds, reptiles and amphibians, and are transferred from serum to egg yolk to confer passive immunity to their embryos and offspring. Currently, the oral passive immunization using chicken IgY has been focused as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment and control of diarrhea in animals and humans. This systematic review was focused to determine the effect of IgY in controlling and preventing diarrhea in domesticated animals including Piglets, Mice, Poultry and Calves.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Previous research reports focused on treatment effect of Chicken IgY against diarrhea were retrieved from different electronic data bases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPRINGER-LINK, WILEY, AGRICOLA, MEDWELL Journals, Scientific Publish, Chinese articles from Core periodicals in 2012). A total of 61 studies in 4 different animal classes met the inclusion criteria. Data on study characteristics and outcome measures were extracted. The pooled relative risk (RR) of 49 studies of different animals [Piglets--22; Mice--14; Poultry--7 and Calves--6] in meta-analyses revealed that, IgY significantly reduced the risk of diarrhea in treatment group when compare to the placebo. However, the 95% confidence intervals of the majority of studies in animal class piglets and calves embrace RR of one. The same results were obtained in sub group analyses (treatment regiment--prophylactic or therapeutic; pathogen type--bacterial or viral). Perhaps, this inconsistency in the effect of IgY at the individual study level and overall effect measures could be influenced by the methodological heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

The present systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis demonstrated the beneficial effect of IgY. This supports the opinion that IgY is useful for prophylaxis and treatment. However, more intensive studies using the gold standard animal experiments with the focus to use IgY alone or in combination with other alternative strategies are indispensable.

Anti-obesity activity of hen egg anti-lipase immunoglobulin yolk, a novel pancreatic lipase inhibitor

BACKGROUND

There is completely no report about both hen egg anti-lipase immunoglobulin yolk (IgY) and its anti-obesity action. Thus, we tried to isolate and characterize a novel anti-lipase immunoglobulin from hen egg yolk. Moreover, we investigated whether hen egg yolk anti-lipase IgY inhibits pancreatic lipase activity in vitro, and examined its ability to prevent obesity in a murine high fat diet-induced obesity model.

METHODS

We determined the inhibitory action of Anti-lipase IgY on lipase activity in vitro. We also focused our evaluation on the anti-obesity properties of Anti-lipase IgY in a murine high fat diet-induced obesity model.

RESULTS

Anti-lipase IgY blocked porcine lipase activity with an IC50 of 0.49 μM. Supplementing the high fat diet with only 0.2% (w/w) of Anti-lipase IgY for 35 days significantly decreased the weights of intraperitoneal adipose tissues, epididymal, mesenteric, retroperitoneal and perirenal adipose tissues, and the amounts of hepatic total lipid, triglyceride, and cholesterol. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the fecal excretion of triglyceride in the absence of diarrhea. Furthermore, Anti-lipase IgY treatment restored body weight gain to levels similar to mice fed with Control IgY.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first report of the development of anti-lipase IgY and the direct evidence that inhibition of pancreatic lipase using Anti-lipase IgY is an effective anti-obesity treatment due to the associated increase in fecal excretion of triglyceride.

Effectiveness of egg yolk antibody against shiga toxin II variant toxicity in vitro and in vivo

We prepared anti-Shiga toxin II variant (Stx2e) and anti-Stx2e B antibodies in chicken egg yolk and investigated their effectiveness in vitro and in vivo. Both Egg yolk antibodies (IgY) reduced the cytotoxic effects of Stx2e to Vero cells. The protective efficacy of anti-Stx2e IgY and anti-Stx2e B IgY was investigated in clean Kunming mice, which were experimentally induced with Stx2e. Peritoneal injection of anti-Stx2e IgY and anti-Stx2e B IgY apparently reduced the lethal effect of Stx2e to mice. These results indicate that both anti-Stx2e IgY and anti-Stx2e B IgY could protect mice from Stx2e challenge. Therefore, anti-Stx2e IgY or anti-Stx2e B IgY might be considered as potential candidate for therapeutics for porcine edema disease.

Efficacy of thiolated eudragit microspheres as an oral vaccine delivery system to induce mucosal immunity against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in mice

A vaccine delivery system based on thiolated eudragit microsphere (TEMS) was studied in vivo for its ability to elicit mucosal immunity against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Groups of mice were orally immunized with F4 or F18 fimbriae of ETEC and F4 or F18 loaded in TEMS. Mice that were orally administered with F4 or F18 loaded TEMS showed higher antigen-specific IgG antibody responses in serum and antigen-specific IgA in saliva and feces than mice that were immunized with antigens only. In addition, oral vaccination of F4 or F18 loaded TEMS resulted in higher numbers of IgG and IgA antigen-specific antibody secreting cells in the spleen, lamina propria, and Peyer's patches of immunized mice than other groups. Moreover, TEMS administration loaded with F4 or F18 induced mixed Th1 and Th2 type responses based on similarly increased levels of IgG1 and IgG2a. These results suggest that F4 or F18 loaded TEMS may be a promising candidate for an oral vaccine delivery system to elicit systemic and mucosal immunity against ETEC.

Initial adherence of EPEC, EHEC and VTEC to host cells

Initial adherence to host cells is the first step of the infection of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) strains. The importance of this step in the infection resides in the fact that (1) adherence is the first contact between bacteria and intestinal cells without which the other steps cannot occur and (2) adherence is the basis of host specificity for a lot of pathogens. This review describes the initial adhesins of the EPEC, EHEC and VTEC strains. During the last few years, several new adhesins and putative colonisation factors have been described, especially in EHEC strains. Only a few adhesins (BfpA, AF/R1, AF/R2, Ral, F18 adhesins) appear to be host and pathotype specific. The others are found in more than one species and/or pathotype (EPEC, EHEC, VTEC). Initial adherence of EPEC, EHEC and VTEC strains to host cells is probably mediated by multiple mechanisms.

Effects of in-feed egg yolk antibodies on Salmonella shedding, bacterial antibiotic resistance, and health of pigs

To determine effects of anti-Salmonella egg yolk antibodies on shedding and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, newly weaned pigs were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments. These treatment groups were (i) a control (basal) diet without additives and similar diets with (ii) egg yolk powder derived from chickens challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium antigens, (iii) a commercial egg yolk powder control, (iv) apramycin for 14 days followed by carbadox, (v) oxytetracycline, or (vi) spray-dried plasma protein. Treatments were provided beginning on day 3 of the trial, and all pigs were challenged with 5 ml of 10(8) CFU/ml Salmonella Typhimurium on day 7. Fecal samples were collected on days 0, 7, 8, 12, 14, 21, 58, 88, and 118 for isolation of Salmonella and Escherichia coli to determine shedding and antibiotic resistance patterns. Body weights, white blood cell counts, and plasma concentrations of anti-Salmonella immunoglobulin G and porcine interleukin 1beta were analyzed as indicators of animal health. The percentage of pigs shedding Salmonella was lower for antibiotic treatment groups compared with other groups; however, resistance was greater in E. coli from pigs fed antibiotics than in pigs in other treatment groups. Health and performance indicators (pig weight gains, white blood cell counts, and plasma concentrations of anti-Salmonella antibodies) did not differ between treatment groups. These studies indicate that feeding egg yolk containing anti-Salmonella immunoglobulin Y may not be effective in controlling shedding of Salmonella in pigs.

In vitro and in vivo effectiveness of egg yolk antibody against Candida albicans (anti-CA IgY)

We prepared anti-Candida albicans antibody in chicken egg yolk (anti-CA IgY) and investigated its in vitro and in vivo effectiveness. Anti-CA IgY significantly reduced the adherence capacity of C. albicans to FaDu cells (human pharynx carcinoma cells) in a dose-dependent manner. The protective efficacy of anti-CA IgY was investigated in experimentally induced oral candidiasis in immunosuppressed mice. Oral administration of anti-CA IgY significantly reduced the number of C. albicans and the scores of the tongue lesions. Moreover, anti-CA IgY reduced the colonization of C. albicans in mice organs. These results indicate that anti-CA IgY has a protective effect against the oral candidiasis of experimentally infected mice and reduces the dissemination of C. albicans. Putting together, these results indicate that anti-CA IgY is effective against C. albicans. This effect might be due to the blocking of the binding of C. albicans to the host cells. Therefore, anti-CA IgY might be considered as a prophylactic immunotherapy or possibly an adjunctive antifungal therapy.

Activity of anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis egg yolk antibody against gingipains in vitro

INTRODUCTION

We investigated the effect of anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis egg yolk antibody against gingipains [immunoglobulin Y (IgY)-GP] on gingipain activity in vitro.

METHODS

IgY-GP was isolated from the yolks of White Leghorn hens immunized with purified gingipains. Control antibody (IgY) was isolated from the yolks of non-immunized hens. Gingipain activity was assessed according to the rate of enzymatic substrate hydrolysis. Human epithelial cells were cultured with or without gingipains and with gingipains pretreated with either IgY-GP or IgY.

RESULTS

Hydrolytic activity decreased in the presence of IgY-GP. Cells incubated with gingipains showed a dose-dependent loss of adhesion activity. Pretreatment of gingipains with IgY-GP was associated with strong inhibition of cell detachment, whereas pretreatment with IgY was not.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that IgY-GP may be an effective immunotherapeutic agent in the treatment of periodontitis.

Reduced use of antibiotic growth promoters in diets fed to weanling pigs: dietary tools, part 1

Antibiotics improve health and productive performance of pigs. There is increasing evidence that other dietary ingredients may provide similar, but probably not identical, benefits. A properly prepared immune egg product, spray-dried plasma, or a high level of dietary zinc can provide protection against enteric infection in young pigs. Spray-dried plasma also increases growth rate dramatically, and zinc increases it substantially. The evidence in refereed publications also indicates that organic acids increase growth rate substantially, but does not clearly identify the most effective acid or combination of acids. Whey proteins, lactose, mannan oligosaccharide, or a high level of dietary copper provides a modest but useful increase in growth rate. It is not clear whether conventional egg products or other milk proteins may be beneficial. There are many other feed ingredients commercially available that may improve health and productive performance of pigs.

The effect of hen-egg antibodies on Clostridium perfringens colonization in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens

We evaluated the ability of hen-egg antibodies (HEA) to reduce intestinal colonization by Clostridium perfringens in broiler chickens. Antibodies against C. perfringens or cholera toxin (negative control) were obtained from the eggs of laying hens hyperimmunized using a C. perfringens bacterin or cholera toxin. Eggs were collected, pooled, and egg antibodies were concentrated by polyethylene-glycol precipitation. An initial experiment was conducted to determine the in vivo activity of the administered antibody along the length of the intestine. Thereafter, two feeding trials were performed to assess the efficacy of feed amended with the egg antibodies in reducing the level of colonization of C. perfringens in challenged birds. Antibody activity declined from proximal to distal regions of the intestine but remained detectable in the cecum. In the first experiment there was no significant reduction in the number of C. perfringens in the birds fed the diet amended with the anti-C. perfringens egg antibody, compared to the birds that received the anti-cholera toxin egg antibody (n=10), at any of the sampling times. In the second experiment there was a significant decrease in C. perfringens intestinal populations 72 h after treatment (n=15) as assessed by culture-based enumeration, but there was no decrease as measured by quantitative PCR based on the C. perfringens phospholipase C gene. Intestinal-lesion scores were higher in the birds that received the anti-C. perfringens HEA. Our work suggests that administration of HEA did not reduce the level of C. perfringens intestinal colonization and conversely might exacerbate necrotic enteritis.

Escherichia coli in postweaning diarrhea in pigs: an update on bacterial types, pathogenesis, and prevention strategies

Escherichia coli is one of the most important causes of postweaning diarrhea in pigs. This diarrhea is responsible for economic losses due to mortality, morbidity, decreased growth rate, and cost of medication. The E. coli causing postweaning diarrhea mostly carry the F4 (K88) or the F18 adhesin. Recently, an increase in incidence of outbreaks of severe E. coli-associated diarrhea has been observed worldwide. The factors contributing to the increased number of outbreaks of this more severe form of E. coli-associated diarrhea are not yet fully understood. These could include the emergence of more virulent E. coli clones, such as the 0149:LT:STa:STb:EAST1:F4ac, or recent changes in the management of pigs. Development of multiple bacterial resistance to a wide range of commonly used antibiotics and a recent increase in the prevalence and severity of the postweaning syndromes will necessitate the use of alternative measures for their control. New vaccination strategies include the oral immunization of piglets with live avirulent E. coli strains carrying the fimbrial adhesins or oral administration of purified F4 (K88) fimbriae. Other approaches to control this disease include supplementation of the feed with egg yolk antibodies from chickens immunized with F4 or F18 adhesins, breeding of F18- and F4-resistant animals, supplementation with zinc and/ or spray-dried plasma, dietary acidification, phage therapy, or the use of probiotics. To date, not a single strategy has proved to be totally effective and it is probable that the most successful approach on a particular farm will involve a combination of diet modification and other preventive measures.

Mapping the binding domain of the F18 fimbrial adhesin

F18 fimbrial Esherichia coli strains are associated with porcine postweaning diarrhea and pig edema disease. Recently, the FedF subunit was identified as the adhesin of the F18 fimbriae. In this study, adhesion domains of FedF were further studied by constructing deletions within the fedF gene and expressing FedF proteins with deletions either together with the other F18 fimbrial subunits or as fusion proteins tagged with maltose binding protein. The region essential for adhesion to porcine intestinal epithelial cells was mapped between amino acid residues 60 and 109 of FedF. To map the binding domain even more closely, all eight charged amino acid residues within this region were independently replaced by alanine. Three of these single point mutants expressing F18 fimbriae exhibited significantly diminished capabilities to adhere to porcine epithelial cells in vitro. In addition, a triple point mutation and a double point mutation completely abolished receptor adhesiveness. The result further confirmed that the region between amino acid residues 60 and 109 is essential for the binding of F18 fimbriae to their receptor. In addition, the adhesion capability of the binding domain was eliminated after treatment with iodoacetamide, suggesting the formation of a disulfide bridge between Cys-63 and Cys-83, whereas Cys-111 and Cys-116 could be deleted without affecting the binding ability of FedF.

Effects of spray-dried animal plasma in milk replacers or additives containing serum and oligosaccharides on growth and health of calves

The effects of spray-dried animal plasma in milk replacer without or with the addition of additives containing fructooligosaccharides and spray-dried serum on health, growth, and intake of Holstein calves was measured in two 56-d experiments. In experiment 1, 120 calves were fed milk replacer containing 0 or 20% of crude protein as spray-dried bovine plasma for 42 d and 30 to 60 g/d of additives containing whey protein concentrate or bovine serum for the first 15 d. Commercial calf starter was available from d 29, and water was available at all times. In experiment 2, 120 calves were fed milk replacer containing 0 or 16% of crude protein as spray-dried bovine plasma with 0 or 30 to 60 g/d of additive containing bovine serum for the first 15 d. Additive containing bovine serum also contained fructooligosaccharides, whey, and vitamin/mineral premix. In experiment 1, calves fed additive containing bovine serum tended to have fewer days with diarrhea, lower use of electrolytes, and improved BW gain from d 29 to 56. The addition of spray-dried bovine plasma to milk replacer did not influence any parameter measured. In experiment 2, calves fed additive containing bovine serum or milk replacer containing spray-dried bovine plasma had lower mortality (4.4 vs. 20%) and tended to have improved fecal scores and fewer days with scours. Antibiotic use was lower when calves were fed the additive. Indices of enteric health (incidence of scours and treatment with antibiotics and electrolytes) were improved when plasma was added to milk replacer throughout the milk feeding period or as an additive during the first 15 d of the milk feeding period, when calves were most susceptible to enteric pathogens. The addition of spray-dried animal plasma to milk replacer or the addition of additive containing spray-dried bovine serum and oligosaccharides may be a useful adjunct to animal management during periods of stress.

Prevention of Salmonella enteritidis infection in commercial ducklings by oral chicken egg-derived antibody alone or in combination with probiotics

Ducklings were given egg-derived antibody against Salmonella enteritidis (Ab) in drinking water daily to determine if infection could be prevented. Pekin ducklings in all experimental groups were infected on Day 1 or 5 with 0.7 x 10(6) Salmonella enteritidis (SE). Spleen, liver, and intestine of each bird were collected and cultured on Days 7, 14, 21, and 28. Only livers and spleens were culture positive for SE. Ducklings infected on Day 1 had more SE infections than controls at each observation. Ducklings infected on Day 5 had fewer SE infections than controls on Days 7, 14, and 21. The same experiment was repeated to determine if SE infection could be prevented under production conditions. Only 10 ducks per group were infected with 1.02 x 10(7) SE. In addition to Ab, one group each, infected on Day 1 or 5, received a proprietary probiotic (Pro) daily to determine if Pro was synergistic to Ab. Groups receiving Ab and Pro and infected on Day 1 had fewer birds infected than Ab alone in Day 1-infected birds. Both Day 1-infected groups had more birds infected than controls. Birds infected on Day 5 had fewer ducks infected than controls on Days 7, 14, and 21. Except for Day 14, birds receiving both Ab and Pro and infected on Day 5 had fewer birds infected than Ab alone on Day 21 and 28. Probiotics act synergistically with oral Ab. Oral antibodies may serve as a tool to prevent salmonella infection in poultry.

Characterization of the adhesin of Escherichia coli F18 fimbriae

Previous research has suggested that the adhesin encoded by the F18 fimbrial operon in Escherichia coli is either the FedE or FedF protein. In this work, we show that anti-FedF antibodies, unlike anti-FedE serum, were able to inhibit E. coli adhesion to porcine enterocytes. Moreover, specific adhesion to enterocytes was shown with purified FedF-maltose binding protein.