Veterinary session

Clostridium perfringens can cause different enteric infections in diverse species

including severe and fatal necrotizing enteritis in newborn piglets. Antibiotic administration is the only effective treatment option, but the use of antimicrobials should be reduced worldwide. We can combat this problem with alternatives to antibiotics, such as plant-based feed additives. Plant compounds are regarded to be exceptional since they contain many beneficial properties that make them an ideal feed additive for livestock. Because of their potential antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, they may be beneficial in preventing disease outbreaks in farm animals.

The aim of this study is to reveal the mechanism of action of the tested plant material

on C. perfringens. Three sublethal concentrations were chosen as experimental concentrations, of which Clostridium perfringens (ATCC 13124) cultures were treated for 24 hours. From the bacterial cultures mRNA were isolated, from which pilus-coding and exo- enzyme-coding genes were tested via quantitative PCR analysis. The pilus, and the exo- toxins are highly relevant pathogenicity factors.

The two tested lower concentrations upregulated most of the investigated target genes, nonetheless, the high concentration caused significant decrease in the expression of several tested genes, e.g. kappa toxin (colA), clostripain (cloSI), perfringosin O (pfo), and the three investigated exo-alpha sialidase (nan) genes.

According to these results, the test substance may have potential in preventing

Clostridium perfringens caused enteral diseases in piglets or in other farm animals. However, our results are supposed to be tested in a farm environment to be certain of the test substance’s favourable effects. Regular use of functional feed additives may prevent the development and spreading of antimicrobial resistance, because it can substantially decrease the antibiotic consumption in farm animals.