Regulation effect of Lactobacillus johnsonii on chickens infected with Ascaridia galli.

2026-03
Poultry science 105(3)

PubMed: 41539233
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106399

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 80 one-day-old broilers infected with A. galli or no-challenge
Methods: 80 one-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, including two levels of L. johnsonii (0 or 1 × 10⁹ CFU/mL) and two infection statuses (A. galli challenge or no-challenge); in vitro experiments also confirmed the concentration-dependent larvicidal effect of probiotic supernatant

Animal Study

Ascaridia galli, a highly prevalent intestinal parasite of poultry globally, poses significant challenges to prevention and control strategies in poultry industry due to its increasing resistance to anthelmintic. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the regulatory effects of Lactobacillus johnsonii on growth performance and intestinal health of broilers infected with A. galli. In this study, 80 one-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, which included two levels of L. johnsonii (0 or 1 × 10⁹ CFU/mL) and two infection statuses (A. galli challenge or no-challenge). The results showed that during the early stage of A. galli infection (3-14 dpi), these general detection indicators demonstrated L. johnsonii has a significant alleviating effect, including lower worm load, improved growth performance, enhanced intestinal barrier function, elevated antioxidant markers (GSH, T-AOC), and increased disaccharidase enzyme activity. Moreover, qRT-PCR analysis revealed the up-regulated expression of barrier genes (ZO-2, OCLN) and nutrient transporters (EAAT3, FATP4), along with the reduced pro-inflammatory (IL-6, IFN-γ) and apoptotic factors (CASP1, CASP9) in the LA (L. johnsoniig + A. galli) group were showing no significant difference compared with the PP group (PBS + PBS). In addition, significantly reduced abundance of L. johnsonii in the LA group resulting in no significant protective efficacy against A. galli infection at 30 dpi. On the other hand, in vitro experiments confirmed the concentration-dependent larvicidal effect of probiotic supernatant, while the probiotic itself did not exhibit direct larvicidal activity. In conclusion, L. johnsonii exhibits potential for a reduction of negative effects of A. galli infection through a dual mechanism, except regulating intestinal homeostasis to exert protective effects, the more important is producing metabolites with potent and rapid larvicidal activity.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus johnsonii	—	Enhanced Digestive Enzyme Activity	Beneficial	Small	View source L. johnsonii has a significant alleviating effect, including... increased disaccharidase enzyme activity
Lactobacillus johnsonii	—	Improved Growth Performance	Beneficial	Moderate	View source L. johnsonii has a significant alleviating effect, including... improved growth performance
Lactobacillus johnsonii	—	Improved Intestinal Barrier Function	Beneficial	Moderate	View source L. johnsonii has a significant alleviating effect, including... enhanced intestinal barrier function
Lactobacillus johnsonii	—	Improved Total Antioxidant Status	Beneficial	Moderate	View source L. johnsonii has a significant alleviating effect, including... elevated antioxidant markers (GSH, T-AOC)
Lactobacillus johnsonii	—	No Sustained Protective Effect	Neutral	Small	View source significantly reduced abundance of L. johnsonii in the LA group resulting in no significant protective efficacy against A. galli infection at 30 dpi
Lactobacillus johnsonii	—	Reduced Apoptosis	Beneficial	Small	View source the reduced... apoptotic factors (CASP1, CASP9) in the LA (L. johnsoniig + A. galli) group
Lactobacillus johnsonii	—	Reduced Intestinal Inflammation	Beneficial	Moderate	View source the reduced pro-inflammatory (IL-6, IFN-γ)... in the LA (L. johnsoniig + A. galli) group
Lactobacillus johnsonii	—	Reduced Parasite Larval Burden	Beneficial	Moderate	View source L. johnsonii has a significant alleviating effect, including lower worm load