AUTHOR=Šimunović Katarina , Sahin Orhan , Erega Andi , Štefanič Polonca , Zhang Qijing , Mandic Mulec Ines , Smole Možina Sonja , Klančnik Anja 

TITLE=Bacillus subtilis PS-216 Spores Supplemented in Broiler Chicken Drinking Water Reduce Campylobacter jejuni Colonization and Increases Weight Gain

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.910616

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2022.910616

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Campylobacter jejuni</italic> is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis, or campylobacteriosis, in humans worldwide, and poultry serves as a major source of infection. To reduce the risk associated with <italic>C. jejuni</italic> transmission via poultry meat, effective interventions during poultry production are needed, and the use of probiotics is a promising approach. In this study, 15 <italic>Bacillus subtilis</italic> strains were initially screened for their anti-<italic>Campylobacter</italic> activities. <italic>B. subtilis</italic> PS-216 strain demonstrated the best anti-<italic>Campylobacter</italic> activity against 15 <italic>C. jejuni</italic> isolates when examined using <italic>in vitro</italic> co-cultures. To evaluate the suitability of <italic>B. subtilis</italic> PS-216 for probiotic use, its susceptibility to eight clinically important antimicrobials and simulated gastric conditions was investigated. <italic>B. subtilis</italic> PS-216 was sensitive to all of the tested antibiotics. Although vegetative cells were sensitive to gastric conditions, <italic>B. subtilis</italic> PS-216 spores were highly resistant. We further evaluated the use of a <italic>B. subtilis</italic> PS-216 spore preparation (2.5 × 10<sup>6</sup> CFU/mL water) to prevent and/or reduce <italic>C. jejuni</italic> colonization in broiler chickens <italic>in vivo</italic>. Compared to the untreated group, significantly lower <italic>Campylobacter</italic> counts were detected in caeca of broilers continuously treated with <italic>B. subtilis</italic> PS-216 spores in their drinking water. Furthermore, broilers continuously treated with <italic>B. subtilis</italic> PS-216 spores showed improved weight gain, compared to the control group. Together, these results demonstrate the potential of <italic>B. subtilis</italic> PS-216 for use in poultry to reduce <italic>C. jejuni</italic> colonization and improve weight gain.</p>