Abstract

The current study aimed to evaluate whether the probiotic Lactobacillus casei could be effective in controlling chicken intestinal colibacillosis. Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli.) and Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) isolates were obtained from nono (a sour milk product produced by Fulani tribe of Nigeria), and were used for the chicken infection and probiotic treatment, respectively. The experimental design was conducted on three-week-old broiler chicks, which were divided into five groups, namely A (healthy control), B (infected without treatment), C (infected and treated with antibiotic), D (infected and treated with L. casei), and E (initially given L. casei before infecting with E. coli). Groups C and D were treated using 15 g/L norfloxacin and 1.5 ml of 1.1x109cfu/ml L. casei, respectively. Group E was given the oral infusion of 1.5 ml of 1.1 × 109 cfu/ml L. casei before infection with 1.5 ml of 1.3 × 107 cfu/ml avian pathogenic E. coli. Weight, hematological parameters, liver function, and fecal E. coli counts of the chicks were monitored and used to evaluate the level of protection elicited by the probiotic organism. There was weight gain in chicken groups, except for group B. There was a significant difference in the sodium, chlorine, and bicarbonate levels amongst the groups. The hematological profile revealed a significant difference in the hemoglobin, white blood cells, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts of the chicken groups. Assessment of liver enzymes showed no significant difference amongst the chick groups except in group B. Similar results were obtained for the urea, creatinine, and C-reactive protein levels. The microbial tests revealed a decrease in the total E. coli count for groups C, D, and E. The results of the current study indicated that L. casei could be used as a probiotic in the control of chicken colibacillosis.