Antimicrobial agents are essential tools for treating and controlling bacterial infections in poultry production. Veterinarians have a huge responsibility when using antimicrobials in poultry producing meat and eggs for human consumption. The term ‘judicious use’ of antimicrobials implies the optimal selection of drug, dose and duration of antimicrobial treatment, along with a reduction in inappropriate and excessive use as a means of slowing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The proper use of antimicrobials depends on the knowledge of interrelationships between bacteria, antimicrobial, host and consumer. The antimicrobial groups most commonly used in poultry are the betalactams, polypeptides, aminoglycosides and aminocyclitols, macrolides and lincosamides, florfenicol, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, quinolones and fluoroquinolones and ionophores.
Introduction Advancing our knowledge of animal nutrition has been a globally significant research field for approaching a century. The vast knowledge accumulated on how to meet the nutritional requirements of livestock has allowed researchers to evolve towards use of nutrition to achieve the wider aims of global food security. In parallel to the highly focused advances in animal nutrition, other researchers were grappling with the seemingly intractable conflict between globalized...
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli is a major threat to global poultry production, particularly for controlling colibacillosis caused by avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Intensive antibiotic use has accelerated the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, undermining treatment efficacy and facilitating zoonotic transmission of resistance genes. This study evaluated bacteriophage therapy as a targeted, antibiotic-independent strategy to control MDR E. coli in Nepalese...
1. Introduction Over the last few hundred years, humans have influenced the evolution of multiple animal species and different ecosystems involved in animal production [1]. This approach has led to the genetic change of domestic animals and has undoubtedly been driven by agriculture. The most important genetic changes in poultry production have occurred in the previous 60 years. Modern broiler chickens are likely the clearest example of these genetic improvements. Newborn chicks grow...
Author details: 1 Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Veterinary Medicine Graduate Program, Master in Animal Health and Reproduction, Santa Maria, Brazil; 2 Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Department of Animal Science, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; 3 Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Center for Rural Sciences, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Diagnosis of Avian Pathologies, Santa Maria, Brazil; 4 Santa Catarina State...
Necrotic Enteritis in the Post-AGP Era: A Complex Multifactorial Challenge
The restriction on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in the broiler industry has led to a significant resurgence of enteric diseases, particularly necrotic enteritis (NE). This complex disease, estimated to cost the global industry USD 6 billion annually, requires a deeper understanding to develop effective control strategies. A recent review by Shahna Fathima, Walid Ghazi Al Hakeem, Revathi...
I. INTRODUCTION Contamination of eggshells by Salmonella Typhimurium is a major public health and food safety issue to the Australian poultry industry. In Australia, the majority of the egg and egg related foodborne outbreaks are caused by S. Typhimurium (The OzFoodNet Working group 2015). Biofilm formation is one of the survival mechanisms utilised by Salmonella spp. against physical and chemical stress factors in the environment (Steenackers et al. 2012). A biofilm is a...
by Benjamin Geist
With just over 120 days until APSS 2026, planning for the 37th annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium is progressing smoothly. Next year’s event will return to the University of Sydney Business School – Belinda Hutchinson Building (H70) on the Camperdown Campus, and we’re excited to once again welcome delegates for 2.5 days of presentations, posters, networking, and industry engagement.
The theme for APSS 2026...
Plant origin (phytogenic) feed additives (PFA), comprising herbs, spices, essential oils, plant extracts and derived products have gained considerable interest in view of the worldwide ban on use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in food animals. These products have the ability to improve performance by maintaining a healthy gut environment (Windisch et al., 2008). They have also been reported to influence carcass and meat quality characteristics in agricultural livestock (Isabel and...
1. Introduction Eggs and meat from poultry are indispensable protein sources in people's meals in Bangladesh [1]. However, the advancement in the poultry production is often interrupted by the overwhelming occurrence of infectious diseases in low resource settings of developing countries such as Bangladesh. Occurrence of these diseases, which incur a colossal loss due to less production of a quality product and also from the treatment cost, are attributable to noncompliance...
Growth promoting effects of zinc bacitracin, Bacillus-based probiotics and a blend of Yucca and Quillaja saponin in broilers have been well documented (Engberg et al. 2000; Cheeke, 2009; Jeong and Kim, 2014). These in-feed additives are commonly used in broiler diets but their effects at different dietary crude protein (CP) concentrations remain unclear. This study was conducted to study the effect of these additives when added to low and high-protein diets on performance and caecal...
1. Introduction Poultry constitutes the second most widely produced and eaten type of meat in Europe, its consumption being especially notable in some countries, such as England, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and France [1]. It is expected that in 2024, there will be a marked increase in the production and consumption of fresh poultry meat worldwide, representing 3.5% more than in 2023 and 4.4% more than in 2022 [2]. In recent years, great efforts have been made to reduce the...
I. INTRODUCTION Non-therapeutic in-feed usage of antibiotics in animal diets has been implicated in development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, some of which are zoonotic and pathogenic to humans (Stanton, 2013). Based on this fact, the European Union placed a ban on such usage of antibiotics 12 years ago (European commission, 2005; Castanon, 2007). However, the continuous incidence of antibiotic resistance in other regions is fueling the consideration and legislation of a global...
Meat and bone meal (MBM) is a valuable source of protein, calcium and available phosphorus for broiler diets (Anwar et al., 2016). The use of MBM in broiler diets at levels above 50 g/kg minimizes the need for inclusion of inorganic P, thus reducing feed cost. Potential indigestibility of protein in MBM (Kim et al., 2012) may act as a predisposing factor for necrotic enteritis (NE). Increased production of nitrogenous bacterial metabolites including amines and ammonia in the hindgut may...
1. Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a phenomenon where microorganisms develop resistance to specific antimicrobial agents, posing serious health risks [1]. According to conservative estimates, AMR is projected to be responsible for 10 million deaths annually by 2050 [2]. Currently, the European Union (EU) reports that over 670,000 infections are linked to AMR each year, resulting in nearly 33,000 deaths directly attributable to confirmed resistance [3]. Poultry...
1. Introduction Antimicrobials have revolutionized modern medicine by enabling effective treatments for many life-threatening diseases and saving countless lives. However, the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among pathogens has become a global health issue affecting humans, animals, and environment [1]. Recognizing AMR as a critical challenge, the World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat this growing threat...
Introduction Medication costs in the poultry industry (excluding vaccination costs) can account for up to 1% of the total production cost. This amount may not seem significant, however, when we talk about cash flow and investment from a business perspective, we can measure that it represents thousands of dollars, whose profitability often falls on the production unit manager and the person responsible for managing medications. In a layer hen business unit, for every 1 million layer...
The livestock industry is currently confronted with stringent regulations limiting the use of antibiotics, along with growing challenges from resistant pathogenic bacteria. These factors have prompted an urgent need to seek alternative strategies that can effectively promote animal health and optimize feed...
Editorial
This month, our comprehensive search captured 74 new publications in poultry nutrition from 61 journals (March 10th to April 10th, 2025, Web of Science), featuring top contributions from Poultry Science (6), Frontier in Veterinary Science(6), Animals (5), Veterinary Medicine and Science (5), etc. ( Download the complete list...
1. Introduction The surface of eggshells can be contaminated by bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp., which may account for 84% and 77% of the present Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively [1]. In addition to antibiotic resistance [1], Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus) may also be associated with the death of chicken embryos [2,3]. Eggs appear to be quite vulnerable to several threats, even biofilm...