Influence of bacteriocin in the control of Escherichia coli infection of broiler chickens in Nigeria

One hundred broiler chickens were divided into four groups. Group A was untreated and challenged with E. coli 02:KH6; group B was infected and treated with bacteriocin in their drinking water; group C was infected and treated by administration of Lactobacillus plantarum F1 culture in skimmed milk, and group D acted as a control. Their weight, feed intake, clinical signs, microscopic lesions, E. coli re-isolation and serum biochemistry were compared. Groups B and C showed fewer symptoms and gross lesions than those from group A, while body weight and feed intakes were similar to the control group. E. coli 02:KH6 was re-isolated in 60% of the livers from group A, compared to 8 and 12% of the livers from group B and C respectively. There was significant increase in the levels of total protein (3.78 ± 0.05 g/100 ml) and globulins (2.53 ± 0.03 g/100 ml) in group A compared to groups B and C. The cholesterol levels in group A (112.56 ± 0.15 mg/100 ml) were significantly reduced compared to those of groups B and C which had 127.25 ± 0.14 and 128.73 ± 0.13 mg/100 ml respectively. The study provides evidence of the potential therapeutic efficacy of bacteriocin in the control of an experimental E. coli infection in broiler chickens.