Antibiotic alternative strategies to reduce economic losses due to enteric infections in poultry

Authors: SUDHARACA, SAMIRU - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); Lillehoj, Hyun

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/11/2021
Publication Date: 11/12/2021
Citation: Sudharaca, S., Lillehoj, H.S. 2021. Antibiotic alternative strategies to reduce economic losses due to enteric infections in poultry. Meeting Abstract. 9-17.

Interpretive Summary: This is a summary of a meeting presentation which will be presented at the FFTC-TLRI Symposium on Innovation and Application of Animal Vaccines and Health-Promotion Feed Additives for Antibiotic-Free Era in Livestock Industry on Nov 11-12, 2021. The main talk will cover various aspects of developing alternative strategies to replace antibiotics in poultry production. First, the need to reduce the use of antibiotics in animal production system will be discussed. Second, various examples of alternative-to-antibiotics (ATAs) strategies that have been successfully applied to poultry production system will be elaborated including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, organic acids, enzymes, phytochemicals, antimicrobial peptides, hyperimmune egg antibodies, bacteriophages, and clay-based products. Third, various modes of action associated with antibiotic alternatives will be discussed. Finally the future strategies to deal with food security and antibiotic resilience by integrating artificial intelligence, precision agriculture and genetic modification with good husbandry practices will be presented that will maximize the performance of animal productivity, while we move forward with the goal of reducing antibiotic use in the animal agriculture.

Technical Abstract: With increasing regulatory restrictions and consumer concerns regarding the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP), there is a need to develop alternative-to-antibiotics (ATAs) in animal production systems to meet the food demands for an ever-increasing human population. A great deal of research has focused on the development of novel ATAs which can improve poultry health and growth performance in commercial poultry production in the absence of antibiotics. This presentation describes the various antibiotic alternative strategies which enable the sustainability of animal productivity and allow poultry to perform to their genetic potential under existing commercial conditions. Many different classes of ATAs are currently under development including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, organic acids, enzymes, phytochemicals, antimicrobial peptides, hyperimmune egg antibodies, bacteriophages, and clay-based products. Much success has been achieved in commercializing various feed additives that promote animal growth and reduce negative effects of infectious diseases. Nevertheless, understanding the mechanisms of action and the limitations of ATA feed additives are critical for the effective application of these products in animal agriculture. Furthermore, integration of different feed additives with good husbandry practices are necessary to increase their effectiveness, and to maximize the performance of animal productivity, while we move forward with the goal of reducing antibiotic use in the animal industry.