Methods of reducing salmonella in poultry

Abstract

Described herein are methods of reducing Salmonella in the intestines of poultry in need thereof by administering to a poultry bird an effective amount of an interleukin-10 peptide or an isolated antibody that specifically binds an interleukin-10 peptide. Administering may be performed within 1 to 4 weeks of harvest of the poultry in order to reduce Salmonella transmission to human consumers. Also included herein are finishing feeds that include an interleukin-10 peptide or an isolated antibody that specifically binds an interleukin-10 peptide.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]The present disclosure is related to methods of reducing Salmonella in the intestines of animals, including poultry.BACKGROUND[0002]Livestock such as poultry that are infected with pathogens, or serve as incubatory or convalescent carriers of pathogens, present problems both for the animals as well as humans who consume meat from the animals. Antibiotics are generally added to the nursery and grower feeds of poultry to promote growth and / or reduce disease occurrence during all phases of food production. The addition of antibiotics reduces the passage of pathogens such as S. Enteritidis to humans and has advantages for the health and weight of the poultry. Antibiotics promote growth through the reduction of biological stress, the decrease of bacteria, and by promoting the health of the poultry. Poultry that are healthy and disease free eat more food, and more effectively convert the food into muscle or meat. Thus, the antibiotic supplementation of poultry...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method to reduce Salmonella in poultry by administering a specific peptide or an antibody that targets it to birds during the final stages of production. This helps to lower the risk of Salmonella in the intestines of poultry, which can improve food safety for consumers. The patent also describes a poultry finishing feed composition that does not contain any added antibiotics, but includes the specific peptide or antibody to help reduce Salmonella.

Problems solved by technology

Livestock such as poultry that are infected with pathogens, or serve as incubatory or convalescent carriers of pathogens, present problems both for the animals as well as humans who consume meat from the animals.

Despite the advantages, the practice of supplementing poultry diet with antibiotics is increasingly problematic.

Poultry birds can be asymptomatic for Salmonella infection, thus making it difficult to isolate infected birds.

Undercooked or raw eggs and poultry meat thus constitute a high risk of infection for humans.

In fact, poultry carcasses entering the processing environment are generally contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella.

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