Scientists tested a type of helpful bacteria called Lactiplantibacillus plantarum to see if it could protect chickens from a dangerous germ called E. coli. They studied chickens from 20 farms and found that this good bacteria helped chickens gain weight better, boosted their immune systems, and protected them when exposed to the harmful E. coli. The research suggests this probiotic could be a natural alternative to antibiotics for keeping chickens healthy, which is important because many germs are becoming resistant to medicines.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a specific type of good bacteria (L. plantarum) could help protect chickens from getting sick with a dangerous E. coli infection and improve their overall health
  • Who participated: One hundred sick chickens from 20 different farms were tested. Researchers also used lab-grown cells and mice to test how well the good bacteria worked before testing it on the chickens
  • Key finding: Chickens that received the good bacteria grew better, had stronger immune systems, and were much better protected when exposed to the harmful E. coli compared to chickens that didn’t receive it
  • What it means for you: If you raise chickens or work in poultry farming, this suggests a natural probiotic could help keep your flock healthier without relying as much on antibiotics. However, this research was done in a lab setting, so more testing on real farms is needed before widespread use

The Research Details

Researchers started by collecting sick chickens from 20 farms and identifying what types of E. coli bacteria were making them ill. They found a specific strain of good bacteria (L. plantarum ATS1) in their lab that they thought might help. Before testing it on live chickens, they first tested how well this good bacteria could stick to intestinal cells in a lab dish and whether it could survive inside immune cells (macrophages). Finally, they gave the good bacteria to healthy chickens and then exposed them to the dangerous E. coli to see if it would protect them.

The study measured several important things: how much the chickens weighed, how efficiently they converted food to body weight, how strong their immune response was (by measuring antibodies in their blood), and how many harmful bacteria ended up in their organs after exposure. They also tracked how many chickens survived the infection challenge.

This approach is called a preclinical evaluation because it tests the idea in controlled conditions before it would be used in real-world farming situations.

This research design is important because it combines lab testing with real animal testing. By first testing in lab dishes and with mice, researchers could understand exactly how the good bacteria works. Then testing on actual chickens showed whether those benefits translate to real animals. This step-by-step approach helps ensure the findings are reliable before farmers would consider using this probiotic

The study was published in Frontiers in Immunology, a respected scientific journal. The researchers used multiple testing methods (lab cells, mice, and chickens) which strengthens their findings. However, the study involved a relatively small number of chickens and was done in controlled conditions, not on actual farms. The bacteria strain was previously isolated and characterized by the same lab, which is good for consistency but means independent verification would be valuable

What the Results Show

When chickens received the good bacteria (L. plantarum ATS1), they showed several important improvements. Their body weight gain increased, and they converted their food into body weight more efficiently, meaning they needed less feed to grow the same amount. Their immune systems became stronger, as shown by higher levels of protective antibodies (IgY) in their blood.

Most importantly, when these chickens were later exposed to the dangerous E. coli, they had much lower levels of the harmful bacteria in their intestines and liver compared to chickens that didn’t receive the probiotic. The chickens that got the good bacteria also had better survival rates after being exposed to the infection.

In the lab tests, the good bacteria showed it could stick very well to intestinal cells (5.65 bacteria per cell on average) and could survive inside immune cells called macrophages. This is important because it means the bacteria can stay in the chicken’s body long enough to provide protection.

The research also identified what types of E. coli were making the chickens sick on the farms. About 80% were the dangerous avian pathogenic type (APEC), and 20% were Shiga toxin-producing strains. Importantly, many of these bacteria were resistant to multiple antibiotics, including some of the strongest ones available. This makes finding alternatives like probiotics even more important for the poultry industry

Previous research has suggested that probiotics can help boost immunity and reduce harmful bacteria, but most studies focused on other types of bacteria or other animals. This study is one of the first to specifically test this particular strain of L. plantarum against avian pathogenic E. coli in chickens. The findings support the general idea that probiotics can help, and add specific evidence for this particular bacteria and this particular problem in poultry farming

This study was done in controlled laboratory and farm conditions, not in real commercial chicken operations with thousands of birds. The sample size of 100 chickens is relatively small for drawing broad conclusions. The study only tested one specific strain of L. plantarum, so results might not apply to other probiotic strains. Additionally, the long-term effects of using this probiotic weren’t tested, and we don’t know how it would work when chickens are exposed to multiple different infections at once, which is common in real farms

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, L. plantarum ATS1 appears promising as a probiotic supplement for broiler chickens to improve growth and protect against E. coli infections (moderate confidence level). However, more testing on actual commercial farms is needed before making widespread recommendations. This should not replace good farm hygiene and biosecurity practices, but could potentially reduce the need for antibiotics (low to moderate confidence until more research is done)

Poultry farmers and the chicken farming industry should pay attention to this research, especially those dealing with E. coli problems or trying to reduce antibiotic use. Veterinarians who work with chickens should be aware of this potential tool. People concerned about antibiotic resistance in food production should find this research encouraging. However, backyard chicken owners should wait for more research before trying this, and anyone with sick chickens should consult a veterinarian first

Based on the study, improvements in growth and immune response appeared within the timeframe of the study (before 28 days of age). Protection against infection was measured at a specific time point. In real farm conditions, benefits might take 1-2 weeks to become noticeable, but this hasn’t been tested yet. Long-term benefits over a chicken’s entire life aren’t known from this research

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using this probiotic on a farm, track weekly body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (amount of feed needed per pound of weight gain), and any disease symptoms or mortality rates. Compare these metrics between flocks that receive the probiotic and those that don’t
  • Start by introducing the probiotic supplement to a small test group of chickens (one pen or section) while keeping a control group without it. Monitor both groups carefully for 4-6 weeks, tracking growth and health. Only expand use if you see clear improvements in the test group
  • Create a simple tracking system that records daily feed consumption, weekly weight checks, any signs of illness, and mortality rates. Compare these numbers between treated and untreated groups. Also track antibiotic use to see if it decreases over time. Keep records for at least 8-12 weeks to see meaningful patterns

This research is preclinical and was conducted in controlled laboratory and farm settings, not in commercial poultry operations. Results may not apply to all chicken breeds, ages, or farm conditions. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional veterinary advice. Anyone considering using probiotics for chickens should consult with a veterinarian first. This study does not constitute medical or veterinary approval for use in commercial farming. Always follow local regulations regarding animal health products and antibiotics. Individual results may vary based on farm conditions, management practices, and other factors not studied here.