Articles

Global livestock production has been greatly affected by enteric bacterial pathogens (i.e. animal health, productivity, food safety and economic viability). In veterinary medicine there is known to be a reduction in enteric bacterial pathogens by probiotics, particularly in livestock. Pathogens such as Salmonella spp, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium perfringens and Lawsonia intracellularis can cause digestive disorders of poultry, swine, cattle, small ruminants, and companion animals. Advances in veterinary microbiology have revealed that certain strains of lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus species, bifidobacteria and yeasts have the potential to lower colonization of pathogens, enhance gut integrity, and increase performance in farm animals by preventing the development of antimicrobial resistant strains. Probiotics have attracted more interest in veterinary microbiology because of their ability to improve host immunity, prevent pathogen colonization, and modify intestinal flora. This article discusses scientific basis, mechanism, use, and issues of use of probiotics for treatment of enteric bacterial pathogens in animals. When taken together, probiotics offer vets a long-term, empirically supported approach to intestinal disease management and also decreases their reliance on antibiotics.