Modulation of gut immunity and microbiota by Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron confers dose-dependent protection against necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens.

ABSTRACT: Necrotic enteritis (NE), caused by Clostridium perfringens, remains a major challenge in broiler chicken production. Probiotics represent a promising alternative strategy to mitigate NE by modulating intestinal immunity and microbiota composition. This study evaluated the effects of oral administration of the commensal bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron on immune responses, microbial profiles, and lesion development in broiler chickens challenged with C. perfringens. One-day-old male broilers (n = 120) were assigned to four groups and received either a low (1 × 10⁷ CFU) or high (5 × 10⁷ CFU) dose of B. thetaiotaomicron on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 post-hatch. Birds were subsequently challenged to induce NE. Ileal and cecal tonsil tissues were collected for gene expression analysis, and cec

SUBMITTER: Alizadeh M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12857341 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature