2.5 Probiotics and Prebiotics
Beneficial live microbes, known as probiotics, play a key role in preventing infections, while prebiotics serve as non-digestible ingredients that encourage the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Research indicates that including Lactobacillus plantarum B1 in the diets of broilers enhances levels of ileal mucosal secretory IgA and decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines. This not only improves growth performance but also reduces cecal E. coli counts. Specifically, L. plantarum B1 has been effective in lowering E. coli levels and bolstering immune responses.20,21 Other strains, such as Lactobacillus plantarum 15-1 with fructooligosaccharides and Enterococcus faecalis-1, have also shown benefits, resulting in reduced mortality and improved immunity against APEC infections. A combination of multiple probiotic strains was able to eliminate deaths from APEC O78 and decrease bacterial levels in the liver and spleen. Furthermore, a commercial probiotic tested alongside a recombinant Salmonella vaccine demonstrated potential in enhancing both growth and immunity in poultry.2