BACKGROUNDNecrotic enteritis (NE) is the most common and financially devastating bacterial disease in modern broiler flocks1. Beyond acute NE mortality, billions of dollars are lost as a result of depressed growth rates and feed conversion inefficiency.2

Individual farm prevalence of NE ranges widely, but estimates of up to 40%4 are not uncommon.

Typical strategies to manage this threat include: anti-microbial agents, vaccination, increased biosecurity, and dietary modifications. Unfortunately, each has significant limitations ranging from regulatory restrictions to questionable efficacy.5

In order to address this persistent problem, Amlan International (Chicago, IL) has developed a natural, antibiotic-free solution to minimize NE impact. Varium is a proprietary growth promoter that provides a three-prong approach to prevention and containment: immune support to bolster innate gut defenses, cellular nutrition to strengthen the intestinal epithelial lining, and biotoxin neutralization.

TRIAL OVERVIEWA 28-Day study was performed at Southern Poultry Research, Inc. in Athens, Georgia, USA to evaluate the NE management efficacy of Varium supplementation. Each treatment group included eight pens, of 8 male Cobb X Cobb broilers (Cobb-Vantress, Cleveland, GA). Routine vaccinations were given on the day of hatch. All birds were orally inoculated with Eimeria maxima, a known risk factor for C. perfringens proliferation, on day 14. Each Challenge treatment group was subsequently given a broth of C. perfringens on days 19, 20, and 21. Necrotic enteritis lesion scores, weight gain, feed conversion, and mortality were compared among the treatment groups.

Clostridium perfringens

is the etiological agent associated with necrotic enteritis. Although naturally occurring in poultry intestines, unchecked C. perfringens proliferation produces biotoxins that create pores in the intestinal lining.

RISK FACTORSEimeria Infection

Antibiotic / Coccidiostat Elimination

Environmental Challenges

Physiological Stress/Immunosuppression

Diet

Dahiya, et al (2006)3

SOUTHERN POULTRYRESEARCH CENTER, INC.Athens, Georgia, United States

NECROTIC ENTERITIS A Growing Concern Amidst Reduced Antibiotic Use

Technical Bulletin

Volume 400

PATENT PENDING

TREATMENTSChallenged

Challenged + Virginiamycin (22 g /metric ton of feed)

Challenged + Varium

Feeding Varium decreased lesion scores.Feeding Varium improved weight gain.

Feeding Varium improved feed conversion Feeding Varium decreased mortality.

1 PoultryHub on-line accessed 20Jul15. www.poultryhub.org/health/disease/types-of-disease/necrotic-enteritis/2 Paiva, D.and McElroy, A. 2014. Necrotic enteritis: Applications for the poultry industry. JAPR Review Article. 557-566. http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/content/23/3/557.full3 Dahiya, J.P., D.C. Wilkie, A.G. Van Kessel and M.D. Drew. 2006. Potential strategies for controlling necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens in postantibiotic era. Ani. Feed Sci. Technol. 129:60-88.4 McDevitt, R.M., Brooker, J.D., Acamovic, T., and Sparks, N.H.C. 2006. Necrotic enteritis: a continuing challenge for the poultry industry. World Poultry. Sci Jour. 62(2):221-247

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=6239285 ThePoultrySite online accessed 20Jul15. http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/2838/intestinal-health-and-necrotic-enteritis-in-broilers/

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www.amlan.com+312-321-1887

info@amlan.com

WEIGHT GAIN (g)(C.Perfingens challenged)

440

460

480

500

520

540

560

465

512

541

Challenged Virginiamycin

0.25%

INTESTINAL LESION SCORES (C.Perfingens challenged)

0.25%0.0

0.2

0.4

0.60.54

0.25

Challenged Virginiamycin

0.46

FEED CONVERSION (C.Perfingens challenged)

0.25%1.7

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3 2.25

1.93

2.03

Challenged Virginiamycin

MORTALITY, % (C.Perfingens challenged)

0.25%0

2

4

6

8

10

12 10.9

3.1

1.6

Challenged Virginiamycin

TRIAL FINDINGS

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