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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fayetteville, Arkansas » Poultry Production and Product Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #420855
Research Project: Multi-hurdle Approaches for Controlling Foodborne Pathogens in Poultry

Location: Poultry Production and Product Safety Research

Title: Evaluating the impact of GalliPro Hatch, GalliPro Fit, and multivalent vaccination strategies in mitigating BCO lameness using a hybrid challenge model

Author
item ALHARBI, KHAWLA - University Of Arkansas
item ANTHNEY, AMANDA - University Of Arkansas
item PERERA, RUVINDU - University Of Arkansas
item MUHAMMAD, MUHAMMAD ALI - University Of Arkansas
item ONYEMA, REGINALD - University Of Arkansas
item REICHELT, SARA - University Of Arkansas
item MEUTER, ANTOINE - University Of Arkansas
item Jesudhasan, Palmy
item ALRUBAYE, ADNAN - University Of Arkansas

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2024
Publication Date: 1/28/2025
Citation: Alharbi, K.S., Anthney, A.P., Perera, R., Muhammad, M., Onyema, R., Reichelt, S., Meuter, A., Jesudhasan, P., Alrubaye, A. 2025. Evaluating the impact of GalliPro Hatch, GalliPro Fit, and multivalent vaccination strategies in mitigating BCO lameness using a hybrid challenge model. Abstract. The International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF). Atlanta, Georgia, January 27-28, 2025.

Interpretive Summary: Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis (BCO) is one of the main issues facing the poultry broilers industry, posing major concerns due to food safety, animal production, and animal welfare concerns. Bacterial translocation from compromised gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts paired with microfractures in the developing weight-bearing bones leads to infection, necrosis, lameness, and eventually death. This study aimed to test the effect of using GALLIPRO® Hatch and GALLIPRO® Fit with and without a multivalent eBeam vaccine on broiler chickens' incidence of BCO lameness. In order to control BCO lameness, we conducted a bird study with the following treatment: (T1) served as the source of infection. Along with a negative control group (T2) on standard feed, the remaining birds were placed in three treatment groups: six pens on GALLIPRO® Hatch and GALLIPRO® Fit (T3), six pens on the multivalent vaccine (T4), and six pens on both the GALLIPRO® Hatch and GALLIPRO® Fit and the multivalent vaccine (T5). We measured cumulative lameness was measured from d21 to d56 through daily evaluation and euthanization of birds determined clinically lame. On d56, cumulative lameness incidence showed that T1 (positive control) has the highest percentage of lame birds, followed by T2 (negative control). While there was no significant difference between T3, T4, and T5, all three treatments effectively reduced lameness by approximately 30%. These results indicate that both the GALLIPRO® Hatch and GALLIPRO® Fit and the multivalent vaccine successfully mitigate lameness incidence compared to the negative control (NC) and positive control (PC) groups. Further studies are necessary to conduct in commercial broiler farm.

Technical Abstract: Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) lameness is the most critical animal health and welfare issue facing the broiler industry worldwide. It is estimated that 1 to 2% of bird condemnation at marketing age is caused by BCO lameness, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in annual losses. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of GALLIPRO® Hatch and GALLIPRO® Fit probiotics, individually and in conjunction with a multivalent electron beam (eBeam)-inactivated vaccine, on the reduction of BCO lameness in broiler chickens. The experimental design involved using two wire-flooring pens (T1) that served as the source of infection, simulating the aerosol transmission of bacteria typically in commercial poultry houses. A negative control group (T2) was maintained on standard feed, while the remaining birds were allocated to three treatment groups: T3 (six pens receiving GALLIPRO® Hatch and GALLIPRO® Fit), T4 (six pens receiving the multivalent vaccine), and T5 (six pens receiving both GALLIPRO® Hatch and GALLIPRO® Fit and the multivalent vaccine). The cumulative incidence of lameness was monitored from day 21 to day 56 through daily evaluations and necropsies of clinically lame birds. By day 56, the cumulative incidence of lameness showed that all three experimental treatments (T3, T4, and T5) reduced lameness by approximately 30% compared to the negative control (NC). These findings suggest that using GALLIPRO® probiotics alone or combined with the multivalent vaccine is a promising approach for lowering the prevalence of BCO lameness in broiler chickens. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of these interventions and establish their long-term benefits in commercial poultry production. Such research would enhance animal welfare and help reduce the economic losses associated with BCO lameness.