Enterococcus faecium CCM7420, bacteriocin PPB CCM7420 and their effect in the digestive tract of rabbits

Abstract

The effect of Enterococcus faecium CCM7420, bacteriocin-producing strain with probiotic properties and its partially purified bacteriocin PPB CCM7420 on growth performance, microflora, Eimeria sp. oocysts, biochemical blood parameters and glutathione-peroxidase activity in rabbits was determined. An increase in the body weight of rabbits (P < 0.01) was achieved after E. faecium CCM7420 application. A non-significant reduction of faecal E. coli (including haemolytic E. coli), coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) and Staphylococcus aureus was found in rabbits administered the E. faecium CCM7420 strain and lower (non-significant) counts of S. aureus and Clostridium-like sp. were detected in PPB CCM7420 group, compared to the control. In the caecum, a significant reduction of CPS was noted in both experimental groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05 for EG1 and EG2, respectively). Biochemical blood parameters increased in both experimental groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 for EG2 and EG1, respectively). In the CCM7420 group, the lowest activity of glutathione-peroxidase was measured (P < 0.001). After the application of PPB CCM7420 (P < 0.05; day 21), a reduction of Eimeria sp. oocysts was recorded.

Keywords

• rabbits
• microflora
• coccidia
• enterocins
• blood parameters
• probiotic