Abstract: Growth performance, health and welfare of domesticated birds such as broilers heavily depends on a well-functioning intestinal tract. Consequently, there is a high need to find biomarkers that are specific for gut damage and that are easily applicable in the field. The present disclosure describes a set of 20 specific proteins that can be quantified in fresh fecal droppings and/or intestinal content of the birds and that each specifically correlate with a damaged gut.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting C. perfringens induced diseases in animals, the method comprising: a) collecting sample material of a specific animal or of a specific group of animals at consecutive points in time; b) determining the amount of a first marker and a second marker contained in the sample material; and c) determining the ratio of the first marker to the second marker contained in the sample material; wherein the first marker comprises a polynucleotide sequence being specific for the C. perfringens sub-species inducing the targeted disease; and the second marker comprises a polynucleotide being specific for the species C. perfringens; and wherein an increase in the ratio of the first marker to the second marker in the analyzed sample material over time is an indication of the targeted disease.

Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are methods for measuring and assessing intestinal health in poultry. The disclosed microbial biomarkers and associated methods for identifying and quantifying the same are reliable, rapid and, in some embodiments, non-invasive, and can be used to provide information with respect to the gut health of poultry, such as chickens.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an in vitro method for detecting avian intestinal dysbiosis, the method comprising determining the presence and/or level of isoleucyl-arginine (C12H25O3N5) or isomers thereof in avian sample material wherein the presence and/or an increased level of isoleucyl-arginine (C12H25O3N5) or isomers thereof in comparison to a non-affected control is indicative for avian intestinal dysbiosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting C. perfringens induced diseases in animals, the method comprising: a) collecting sample material of a specific animal or of a specific group of animals at consecutive points in time; b) determining the amount of a first marker and a second marker contained in the sample material; and c) determining the ratio of the first marker to the second marker contained in the sample material; wherein the first marker comprises a polynucleotide sequence being specific for the C. perfringens sub-species inducing the targeted disease; and the second marker comprises a polynucleotide being specific for the species C. perfringens; and wherein an increase in the ratio of the first marker to the second marker in the analyzed sample material over time is an indication of the targeted disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Salmonella mutant strains and their use as a vaccine for preventing Salmonella infection, in particular in eggs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting C. perfringens induced diseases in animals, the method comprising: a) collecting sample material of a specific animal or of a specific group of animals at consecutive points in time; b) determining the amount of a first marker and a second marker contained in the sample material; and c) determining the ratio of the first marker to the second marker contained in the sample material; wherein the first marker comprises a polynucleotide sequence being specific for the C. perfringens sub-species inducing the targeted disease; and the second marker comprises a polynucleotide being specific for the species C. perfringens; and wherein an increase in the ratio of the first marker to the second marker in the analyzed sample material over time is an indication of the targeted disease.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an in vitro method for detecting intestinal barrier failure in animals, the method comprising the following steps: a) collecting intestinal sample material of an individual animal or of an animal population; and b) determining the amount of at least one protein marker contained in said sample material; wherein the at least one protein marker comprises or consists of ovotransferrin or a functional fragment thereof, and wherein an increased amount of said at least one protein marker contained in said sample versus a reference sample indicates intestinal barrier failure.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an in vitro method for detecting intestinal barrier failure in an avian population, the method comprising the following steps: a) collecting a pooled fecal sample deriving from an avian population and b) determining the amount of at least one protein marker contained in said sample; wherein the at least one protein marker comprises or consists of an acute phase protein or a functional fragment thereof, and wherein an increased amount of said at least one protein marker contained in said sample versus a reference sample indicates intestinal barrier failure.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a reduced toxicity NetB epitope polypeptide and a reduced toxicity Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin epitope polypeptide. The composition is useful as a vaccine providing complete protection against infection by C. perfringens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Salmonella mutant strains and their use as a vaccine for preventing Salmonella infection, in particular in eggs.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a glycerol ester composition comprising glyceryl monovalerate, for use in preventing and/or alleviating bacterial inflammation in a monogastric animal (including human) by inhibiting the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to the intestinal lumen of said animal. The present invention also refers to a therapeutic method for promoting the renewal and growth of epithelial cells in the small intestine of a monogastric animal (including human), the method comprising the step of distributing a glycerol ester composition comprising glyceryl monovalerate to said animal.

Abstract: A method of reducing human salmonellosis due to consumption of contaminated food. More in particular this application discloses a specific wheat bran fraction that reduces colonization of Salmonella bacteria in the gut of animals that are part of the human food chain. This disclosure indeed demonstrates that animals such as broilers that are given feed supplemented with the latter feed bran fraction—and are then infected with Salmonella—have a significantly reduced number of Salmonella bacteria in their cecum and shed less bacteria in their environment when compared to control animals that are given non-supplemented feed.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a glycerol ester composition comprising the reaction product obtained from reacting valeric acid and glycerol at a molar ratio of between 1:0.8 and 1:1.2, for use in reduction and/or inhibition of the growth of gram-positive, pathogenic bacteria. The present invention also refers to said glycerol ester composition for use in prevention and/or alleviation of necrotic enteritis in the gastric tract of galloanserans.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Salmonella mutant strains and their use as a vaccine for preventing Salmonella infection, in particular in eggs.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a glycerol ester composition comprising glyceryl monovalerate, for use in preventing and/or alleviating bacterial inflammation in a monogastric animal (including human) by inhibiting the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to the intestinal lumen of said animal. The present invention also refers to a therapeutic method for promoting the renewal and growth of epithelial cells in the small intestine of a monogastric animal (including human), the method comprising the step of distributing a glycerol ester composition comprising glyceryl monovalerate to said animal.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a glycerol ester composition comprising the reaction product obtained from reacting valeric acid and glycerol at a molar ratio of between 1:0.8 and 1:1.2, for use in reduction and/or inhibition of the growth of gram-positive, pathogenic bacteria. The present invention also refers to said glycerol ester composition for use in prevention and/or alleviation of necrotic enteritis in the gastric tract of galloanserans.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of a glycerol ester composition of at least one short chain fatty acid for preventing and/or alleviating necrotic enteritis in the gastric tract of galloanserans. The glycerol ester composition comprises at least 75% by weight of glyceryl tributyrate, below 25% by weight of glyceryl dibutyrate and below 8% by weight of glyceryl monobutyrate. The present invention also refers to the use of the glycerol ester composition for modulating the gut flora of galloanserans.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of a glycerol ester composition of at least one short chain fatty acid for preventing and/or alleviating necrotic enteritis in the gastric tract of galloanserans. The glycerol ester composition comprises at least 75% by weight of glyceryl tributyrate, below 25% by weight of glyceryl dibutyrate and below 8% by weight of glyceryl monobutyrate. The present invention also refers to the use of the glycerol ester composition for modulating the gut flora of galloanserans.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a reduced toxicity NetB epitope polypeptide and a reduced toxicity Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin epitope polypeptide. The composition is useful as a vaccine providing complete protection against infection by C. perfringens.