Necrotic Enteritis and Coccidiosis - Multifactorial Role of Butyrate on Intestinal Health04 March 2016
GLOBAL - Coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis are important diseases that affect the poultry industry worldwide, writes Pauline Paap, Orffa Additives B.V.
Production losses, increased mortality, reduced welfare of birds, increased cost for medication and veterinarian are globally concern related to these two diseases.
Although both diseases have a different pathology, they act synergistically since the development of necrotic enteritis is highly dependent on the intestinal damage caused by coccidiosis.
Anti-coccidial drugs and conventional antimicrobial agents can be used to control the pathogenic pressure in the flock. However, the emergence of drug-resistant strains, especially after prolonged use of drugs, is a real problem.
Necrotic enteritis has long been controlled by the use of antibiotic growth promotors (AGP’s) in the feed. Nevertheless, in January 2006, in Europe the ban on dietary AGP’s came into place and also the use of AGP’s is under debate in other continents.
Necrotic enteritis emerged as a common broiler disease worldwide. The poultry industry needs to search for alternative management and dietary strategies to control coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis.
This article review the latest insights and studies on coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis. From dietary point of view different strategies are discussed to fight both diseases.
One of the dietary treatments could be the addition of micro-encapsulated butyrate, as butyrate is the main energy source for epithelial cells that reinforces the important intestinal barrier function.