Defined competitive exclusion cultures for food borne pathogens

摘要

The invention comprises a method of screening cecal microflora for in vitro competition against select enteric pathogens, as well as the characterization of specific cecal microflora. The invention also comprises using the characterized competitive exclusion culture against select enteric pathogens in poultry, porcine, and ruminant, and humans. Selection of competitive isolates was achieved by combining Salmonella enteritidis (SE), adult broiler cecal microflora, and an indicator broth, which was then placed in a microtiter plate. Potential isolates were then challenged individually against Salmonella enteritidis. The ability of the selective isolates was determined by qualitative evaluation of Salmonella growth on brilliant green agar after the challenge. Isolates analyzed included but are not limited to; Bacillus species, Staphylococcus species, Escherichia species, Citrobacter species, Enterococcus species, Proteus species, Enterobacter species, Salmonella species, and Klebsiella species. Each isolate from genera with potential pathogens was further safety-tested by intraperitoneal injection or airsac injection and evaluated for morbidity, mortality, and lesions. We demonstrate that the incidence of SE recovery was markedly reduced by treatment with nine selected isolates which were individually amplified, under aerobic conditions, and then re-combined prior to administration.