Protective effect of potentially probiotic Lactobacillus strain on infection with pathogenic bacteria in chickens.

The probiotic potential of a Lactobacillus salivarius 3d strain isolated from chicken faeces was assessed in one day old chickens. Lactobacillus salivarius 3d was administered per os at a concentration of 10(8) cfu in 100 microl of PBS. The chickens were then challenged with pathogenic bacteria: Salmonella Enteritidis, Campylobacter jejuni and Clostridium perfringens. Samples of caecal contents and livers were collected after 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days after infection. Lactobacilli and pathogenic bacterial cell counts were determined in the samples. This study showed that L. salivarius 3d reduced the number of Salmonella Enteritidis and Clostridium perfringens in the group of chickens treated with Lactobacillus. Therefore it may be concluded that L. salivarius 3d may be used as a potential probiotic for chickens.