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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #308407
Title: The gut immune system: new opportunities for targeting dietary immune modulation to enhance gut health

Author
item Lillehoj, Hyun
item Gay, Cyril
item HONG, YOUNG HO - Chung-Ang University
item MIN, WONGI - Gyeongsang National University
item JANG, SEUNG-IK - Daejeon University
item LEE, KYUNG-WOO - Konkuk University
item KIM, DUK-KYUNG - Hankyong National University
item LEE, SUNG-HYUN - National Academy Of Agricultural Science

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/21/2014
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: homeostasis has increased, understanding the microorganisms and their genes (the microbiome) associated with higher organisms are now recognized as complex communities with important influences on the health and disease status of the host. Indeed, it has been suggested that humans (and other multi-cellular organisms) should actually be considered as ‘supra-organisms’. Although microbes are found in association with virtually all parts of the bird, the gastro-intestinal (G-I) tract is where bacterial abundance and diversity are highest and is the aspect of the poultry microbiome most relevant to animal health, nutrition, food safety, and public health. As we move into the 21st Century and the demands for animal food products increase to meet the nutritional needs of a growing world population, developing drug-free alternative strategies to prevent and control animal diseases is a timely global issue and a critical component of our long-term efforts to alleviate poverty and world hunger. In this paper, new understanding on the role of host immunity in controlling cross talks among nutrition, gut microbiota, neuroendocrine and epigenetic systems will be discussed. This paper will also highlight some emerging strategies to enhance gut immunity and to decrease economic losses due to poultry diseases such as coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis. Such information will enhance our understanding of host-parasite biology, mucosal immunology, and facilitate the design of future dietary interventions and vaccination strategies to reduce economic losses due to coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis.