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.