Use of aviguard, virginiamycin, or bacitracin MD against Clostridium perfringens-associated necrotizing enteritis

Abstract

We have found that Aviguard is effective for reducing Clostridium perfringens-associated necrotic enteritis gross lesions that were induced by a necrotic enteritis infection model (NEIM). The present study compared the effects of Aviguard, virginiamycin (Stafac-20), or bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD-50) against Clostridium perfringens-associated necrotizing enteritis in broiler chickens. Male broiler chicks housed in the same environmentally controlled facility were given one of five treatments. The NEIM induced death, intestinal gross lesions, poor feed utilization, and lower body weight gain. Aviguard reduced mortality, gross lesions, and performance losses inflicted by the NEIM. Furthermore, Aviguard was superior to virginiamycin and bacitracin MD for increasing broiler body weight gain and reducing feed consumption. Lastly, Aviguard was at least as effective as virginiamycin and bacitracin MD in promoting feed efficiency. Results from the present study are important because Aviguard can be considered a novel and effective nonantibiotic disease preventive in the face of Clostridium perfringens-associated necrotic enteritis challenge.