Necrotic enteritis (bacterial disease caused by the proliferation of the bacteria Clostridium perfringens) and coccidiosis (parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria) are two diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract of poultry, and in particular broilers. Both diseases are of economic importance, as they can cause significant losses in meat and egg production and are closely related to each other.

Efficacy of pronutrients and cimenol ring in the prevention of mixed Eimeria and Clostridium infections

In a recent trial made in Asia, the effect of the cimenol ring and intestinal optimizer pronutrients for the control of necrotic enteritis and coccidiosis, diseases that tend to appear simultaneously, was evaluated. The cimenol ring is a natural antimicrobial, which breaks the membrane of pathogens from the inside, causing their death. Its effectiveness is selective against pathogens, such as Clostridium, while beneficial flora, such as Lactobacillus, is not affected. For their part, intestinal optimizer pronutrients stimulate the local immunity of the intestine, promoting greater protection against infections in this organ. The main productive results and specific parameters such as the Eimeria oocyst count were evaluated in the trial. The active ingredients were used at doses of 0.5 kg/t of feed, continuously throughout the trial.

Regarding body weight, compared to an untreated batch infected with Clostridium and Eimeria, pronutrients achieved a clear improvement at day 42. This improvement was superior and statistically significant when, in addition to pronutrients, cimenol ring was supplemented, since each of the active principles fights Eimeria and Clostridium, respectively. The feed conversion rate was improved with a trend similar to the weight: the pronutrients batch improved this parameter, but the improvement was greater when cimenol ring was also supplemented, since besides to preventing coccidia with the use of pronutrients, a direct action on Clostridium is achieved with the cimenol ring.

Regarding specific parameters, the counting of Eimeria oocyst reduced in the groups supplemented with intestinal optimizer pronutrients, indicative of a coccidiosis control. This control decreases the likelihood of secondary Clostridium infection. The use of these natural technologies also improved the condition of intestinal villi.

Prevention and control using natural additives

Traditional methods based on antibiotics have usually been used for the control of necrotic enteritis, and anticoccidial programs, mainly based on chemical coccidiostats and ionophores, for the control of coccidiosis. However, bacterial and protozoan resistances have made these solutions less effective, and they can hardly prevent these closely related pathologies.

In recent years, solutions based on pronutrients and cimenol ring have gained special importance for the control of these diseases.

• The combination of cimenol ring and citric acid (marketed under the name of Alquermold Natural) is highly effective in the prevention and natural treatment of necrotic enteritis. This combination acts as a natural antimicrobial, where citric acid facilitates the entry of cimenol ring inside Clostridium and other pathogens, and from the inside, this phenolic compound destabilizes the cell membrane causing its rupture and the death of the bacteria.
• On the other hand, the intestinal optimizer pronutrients commercialized under the name of Alquernat Zycox stimulate the development of immunity against coccidiosis, promoting the activation of cellular immunity at intestinal level, key in the response of birds for the elimination of coccidia. They stimulate the expression of interleukins that are key in the activation of Th1, key in the elimination of intracellular parasites such as coccidia.