Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2025
Keywords
lameness, broilers, BCO, probiotic, eBeam-inactivated vaccine
Abstract
Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is caused by Salmonella, Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Mycoplasma spp. It is a leading cause of broiler lameness, resulting in economic losses and welfare concerns. BCO occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and colonize bone tissue. It is exacerbated by rapid growth, mechanical stress (e.g., repetitive pressure on hock joints and footpads), uneven flooring, or excessive body weight in commercial settings. This study tested the effectiveness of a probiotic program and an inactivated vaccine in reducing BCO lameness. The probiotic program included an Enterococcus faecium spray at hatch and a triple-strain Bacillus-based product in drinking water, while the vaccine was an electron beam-inactivated multivalent. Using a wire-floor aerosol transmission challenge model, results showed probiotics, vaccines, and their combination reduced lameness by similar to 30% compared to untreated controls, improving welfare and reducing losses.
Citation
Anthney, A.; Alharbi, K.; Perera, R.; Do, A.D.T.; Asnayanti, A.; Onyema, R.; Reichelt, S.; Meuter, A.; Jesudhasan, P.R.R.; Alrubaye, A.A.K. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Probiotic and Multivalent Vaccination Strategies in Mitigating Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis Lameness Using a Hybrid Challenge Model. Animals 2025, 15, 570. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15040570
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Comments
Web of Science
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