The effects of high flavonoid corn diet on the cecal microbiota of chickens with necrotic enteritis

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in cecal microbiota in the ceca (content and mucosa) of broiler chickens with necrotic enteritis (NE). Necrotic enteritis is an infection of the gastrointestinal tract caused by Clostridium perfringens. Chickens with NE exhibit diarrhea, loss of appetite, intestinal lesions, weight loss, and even mortality, therefore this disease is agriculturally important since it causes economic losses to the poultry industry. It was previously found that birds with symptomatic NE fed a diet containing corn with high content of flavonoids had lower mortality, higher weight gain and feed intake, as well as less intestinal lesions. The addition of flavonoid compounds to broiler chicken diet results in improved gut health, and may decrease economic losses posed by NE.