Colonisation of chicken intestinal tract by Lactobacillus salivarius A23 strain

The ability of Lactobacillus salivarius A23 strain to colonise the intestinal tracts of chickens and to influence the indigenous microflora, was studied. The strain, differently administered to newly hatched chickens, was characterized by biochemical and genetic rests, in order to be identified among the intestinal microorganisms. 90% of isolates from crop and caecum content on a selective medium for L. salivarius A23 strain, showed the same characteristics displayed by the administered strain, as autoaggregation, adhesion to epithelia, plasmid and chromosome DNA profile, carbohydrate fermentation. SEM observations and microbiological analysis demonstrated that L. salivarius strain was able to colonise chicken crop and to adhere to epithelia, being predominant on the other bacterial groups; its presence was evidentiated also in caeca. Statistical correlation analysis, carried out on intestinal microflora interactions, permitted to conclude that L. salivarius A23 strain positively influenced lactobacilli and negatively coliform groups in crops, but nor in caeca.