Evaluation of a selected lactic acid bacteria-based probiotic on Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis colonization and intestinal permeability in broiler chickens

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of a lactic acid bacteria-based probiotic (FloraMax-B11^®) against Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis intestinal colonization and intestinal permeability in broiler chickens. Experiment 1 consisted of two independent trials. In each trial, day-old broiler chicks were assigned to one of two groups: control?+?S. Enteritidis or probiotic?+?S. Enteritidis. At 72?h post-S. Enteritidis challenge, haematology and caecal content were evaluated for S. Enteritidis colonization. In Experiment 2, day-old broiler chicks were assigned to one of four groups: negative control; probiotic; control?+?S. Enteritidis; or probiotic?+?S. Enteritidis. At 72?h post-S. Enteritidis challenge, chickens in all groups were given an oral gavage dose of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-d). In both trials of Experiment 1, a significant reduction (P?S. Enteritidis in caecal content and a reduction in the incidence of S. Enteritidis enriched caecal samples were observed in probiotic?+?S. Enteritidis chickens. In addition, significant heterophilia and lymphopaenia were observed in control?+?S. Enteritidis chickens. In Experiment 2, a decrease in numbers of S. Enteritidis in caeca were observed in probiotic?+?S. Enteritidis chickens when compared to control?+?S. Enteritidis. Also, an increase in serum FITC-d concentration was detected in control?+?S. Enteritidis. These results suggest that early infection with S. Enteritidis can increase intestinal permeability, but the adverse effects can be prevented by the administration of the probiotic tested.