Patient acceptability and usability of a self-administered electronic patient-reported outcome assessment in HIV care: relationship with health behaviors and outcomes.

We assessed acceptability/usability of tablet-based patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessments among patients in HIV care, and relationships with health outcomes using a modified Acceptability E-Scale (AES) within a self-administered PRO assessment. Using multivariable linear regression, we measured associations between patient characteristics and continuous combined AES score. Among 786 patients (median age=48; 91% male; 49% white; 17% Spanish-speaking) overall mean score was 26/30 points (SD: 4.4). Mean scores per dimension (max 5, 1=lowest acceptability, 5=highest): ease of use 4.7, understandability 4.7, time burden 4.3, overall satisfaction 4.3, helpfulness describing symptoms/behaviors 4.2, and enjoyability 3.8. Higher overall score was associated with race/ethnicity (+1.3 points/African-American patients (95%CI:0.3-2.3); +1.6 points/Latino patients (95%CI:0.9-2.3) compared to white patients). Patients completing PROs in Spanish scored +2.4 points on average (95%CI:1.6-3.3). Higher acceptability was associated with better quality of life (0.3 points (95%CI:0.2-0.5)) and adherence (0.4 points (95%CI:0.2-0.6)). Lower acceptability was associated with: higher depression symptoms (-0.9 points (95%CI:-1.4 to -0.4)); recent illicit opioid use (-2.0 points (95%CI:-3.9 to -0.2)); multiple recent sex partners (-0.8 points (95%CI:-1.5 to -0.1)). While patients endorsing depression symptoms, recent opioid use, condomless sex, or multiple sex partners found PROs less acceptable, overall, patients found the assessments highly acceptable and easy to use.

Bioremediation Strategies Aimed at Stimulating Chlorinated Solvent Dehalogenation Can Lead to Microbially-Mediated Toluene Biogenesis.

In situ bioremediation practices that include subsurface addition of fermentable electron donors to stimulate reductive dechlorination by anaerobic bacteria have become widely employed to combat chlorinated solvent contamination in groundwater. At a contaminated site located near Baton Rouge, Louisiana (USA), toluene was transiently observed in groundwater at concentrations that sometimes far exceeded the US drinking water maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 1 mg/L after a fermentable substrate (agricultural feed grade cane molasses) was injected into the subsurface with the intent of providing electron donors for reductive dechlorination. Here, we present data that demonstrate that indigenous microorganisms can biologically produce toluene by converting phenylacetic acid, phenylalanine, phenyllactate, and phenylpyruvate to toluene. When grown in defined medium with phenylacetic acid at concentrations ≤350 mg/L, the molar ratio between toluene accumulated and phenylacetic acid supplied was highly correlated ( R2 ≥ 0.96) with a toluene yield exceeding 0.9:1. Experiments conducted using 13C labeled compounds (phenylacetic acid-2-13C and l-phenylalanine-3-13C) resulted in production of toluene-α-13C, confirming that toluene was synthesized from these precursors by two independently developed enrichment cultures. Results presented here suggest that monitoring of aromatic hydrocarbons is warranted during enhanced bioremediation activities where electron donors are introduced to stimulate anaerobic biotransformation of chlorinated solvents.

Provider perceptions of the value of same-day, electronic patient-reported measures for use in clinical HIV care.

Strong evidence suggests that patient-reported outcomes (PROs) aid in managing chronic conditions, reduce omissions in care, and improve patient-provider communication. However, provider acceptability of PROs and their use in clinical HIV care is not well known. We interviewed providers (n = 27) from four geographically diverse HIV and community care clinics in the US that have integrated PROs into routine HIV care, querying perceived value, challenges, and use of PRO data. Perceived benefits included the ability of PROs to identify less-observable behaviors and conditions, particularly suicidal ideation, depression, and substance use; usefulness in agenda setting prior to a visit; and reduction of social desirability bias in patient-provider communication. Challenges included initial flow integration issues and ease of interpretation of PRO feedback. Providers value same-day, electronic patient-reported measures for use in clinical HIV care with the condition that PROs are (1) tailored to be the most clinically relevant to their population; (2) well integrated into clinic flow; and (3) easy to interpret, highlighting chief patient concerns and changes over time.

Selection for pro-inflammatory mediators produces chickens more resistant to Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis.

We developed a novel selection method based on an inherently high and low phenotype of pro-inflammatory mediators and produced "high" and "low" line chickens. We have shown high line birds are more resistant to Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and Eimeria tenella compared to the low line. Clostridium perfringens is the fourth leading cause of bacterial-induced foodborne illness, and is also an economically important poultry pathogen and known etiologic agent of necrotic enteritis (NE). The objective of this study was to determine if high line birds were also more resistant to NE than low line birds using an established model. Birds were reared in floor pens and challenges were conducted twice (high line = 25/trial, 50 birds total; low line = 26/trial, 52 birds total). Day-old chicks were provided a 55% wheat-corn-based un-medicated starter diet. A bursal disease vaccine was administered at 10× the recommended dose via the ocular route at 14-d-of-age. Birds were challenged daily for 3 d beginning at 16-d-of-age by oral gavage (3 mL) with 10(7) colony forming units (cfu) of C. perfringens/mL then necropsied at 21-d-of-age. All birds had sections of the intestine examined and scored for lesions while the first 10 necropsied also had gut content collected for C. perfringens enumeration. Chickens from the high line were more resistant to C. perfringens-induced NE pathology compared to the low line, as indicated by reduced lesion scores. Ninety percent of the high line birds had lesions of zero or one compared to 67% of the low line birds. Wilcoxon rank sum test showed significantly higher lesion scores in the low line birds compared to the high line (P < 0.0001). There were no differences in the C. perfringens recovered (P = 0.83). These data provide additional validation and support selection based on elevated levels of pro-inflammatory mediators produces chickens with increased resistance against foodborne and poultry pathogens.

Development and usability testing of a web-based cancer symptom and quality-of-life support intervention.

The feasibility and acceptability of computerized screening and patient-reported outcome measures have been demonstrated in the literature. However, patient-centered management of health information entails two challenges: gathering and presenting data using "patient-tailored" methods and supporting "patient-control" of health information. The design and development of many symptom and quality-of-life information systems have not included opportunities for systematically collecting and analyzing user input. As part of a larger clinical trial, the Electronic Self-Report Assessment for Cancer-II project, participatory design approaches were used to build and test new features and interfaces for patient/caregiver users. The research questions centered on patient/caregiver preferences with regard to the following: (a) content, (b) user interface needs, (c) patient-oriented summary, and (d) patient-controlled sharing of information with family, caregivers, and clinicians. Mixed methods were used with an emphasis on qualitative approaches; focus groups and individual usability tests were the primary research methods. Focus group data were content analyzed, while individual usability sessions were assessed with both qualitative and quantitative methods. We identified 12 key patient/caregiver preferences through focus groups with 6 participants. We implemented seven of these preferences during the iterative design process. We deferred development for some of the preferences due to resource constraints. During individual usability testing (n = 8), we were able to identify 65 usability issues ranging from minor user confusion to critical errors that blocked task completion. The participatory development model that we used led to features and design revisions that were patient centered. We are currently evaluating new approaches for the application interface and for future research pathways. We encourage other researchers to adopt user-centered design approaches when building patient-centered technologies.

Unannounced telephone-based pill counts: a valid and feasible method for monitoring adherence.

Phone-based unannounced pill counts to measure medication adherence are much more practical and less expensive than home-based unannounced pill counts, but their validity has not been widely assessed. We examined the validity of phone versus home-based pill counts using a simplified protocol streamlined for studies embedded in clinical care settings. A total of 100 paired counts were used to compare concordance between unannounced phone and home-based pill counts using interclass correlations. Discrepancy analyses using χ(2) tests compared demographic and clinical characteristics across patients who were concordant between phone and home-based pill counts and patients who were not concordant. Concordance was high for phone-based and home-based unannounced total pill counts, as well as individual medication counts and calculated adherence. This study demonstrates that a simplified phone-based pill count protocol can be implemented among patients from a routine clinical care setting and is a feasible means of monitoring medication adherence.

Lessons learned from the design and implementation of myocardial infarction adjudication tailored for HIV clinical cohorts.

We developed, implemented, and evaluated a myocardial infarction (MI) adjudication protocol for cohort research of human immunodeficiency virus. Potential events were identified through the centralized Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems data repository using MI diagnoses and/or cardiac enzyme laboratory results (1995-2012). Sites assembled de-identified packets, including physician notes and results from electrocardiograms, procedures, and laboratory tests. Information pertaining to the specific antiretroviral medications used was redacted for blinded review. Two experts reviewed each packet, and a third review was conducted if discrepancies occurred. Reviewers categorized probable/definite MIs as primary or secondary and identified secondary causes of MIs. The positive predictive value and sensitivity for each identification/ascertainment method were calculated. Of the 1,119 potential events that were adjudicated, 294 (26%) were definite/probable MIs. Almost as many secondary (48%) as primary (52%) MIs occurred, often as the result of sepsis or cocaine use. Of the patients with adjudicated definite/probable MIs, 78% had elevated troponin concentrations (positive predictive value = 57%, 95% confidence interval: 52, 62); however, only 44% had clinical diagnoses of MI (positive predictive value = 45%, 95% confidence interval: 39, 51). We found that central adjudication is crucial and that clinical diagnoses alone are insufficient for ascertainment of MI. Over half of the events ultimately determined to be MIs were not identified by clinical diagnoses. Adjudication protocols used in traditional cardiovascular disease cohorts facilitate cross-cohort comparisons but do not address issues such as identifying secondary MIs that may be common in persons with human immunodeficiency virus.

Evaluation of the efficacy of yeast extract in reducing intestinal Clostridium perfringens levels in broiler chickens.

The etiological agent of necrotic enteritis is Clostridium perfringens. Traditionally, necrotic enteritis is controlled with in-feed antibiotics. However, increasing consumer demand for drug-free poultry has fostered the search for nonantibiotic alternatives. Yeast extract contain nucleotides that are immunomodulatory and also essential for cellular functions. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of NuPro yeast extract (Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) in reducing intestinal C. perfringens levels in broiler chickens. One hundred ninety-two 1-d-old male broiler chicks were obtained and randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a battery cage trial. Treatment 1 consisted of chicks fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet (BD) without added bacitracin methylene disalicylate or NuPro. Treatment 2 consisted of chicks fed BD into which bacitracin methylene disalicylate was added at 0.055 g/kg. Treatment 3 consisted of chicks fed BD supplemented with NuPro at a 2% level for the first 10 d of the experiment. Treatments 4 (PX), 5, and 6 (PN) consisted of chicks that were challenged with 3 mL of the C. perfringens inoculum (~10(7) cfu/mL) on d 14, 15, and 16 of the experiment and fed diets similar to treatments 1, 2, and 3, respectively. On d 1 and 7 postchallenge, intestinal C. perfringens levels, lesion scores, and alkaline phosphatase activity were assessed. On d 1 postchallenge, C. perfringens level in treatment 5 (2.09 log(10) cfu/g) was lower (P < 0.05) compared with the PX treatment (4.71 log(10) cfu/g) but similar to the PN treatment (2.98 log(10) cfu/g). A similar trend was observed on d 7 postchallenge. NuPro supplementation enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity (P < 0.05) in C. perfringens-challenged chicks and appeared to reduce intestinal lesion scores. Although dietary supplementation of NuPro in the PN treatment reduced C. perfringens levels by 1.73 and 0.68 log(10) cfu/g compared with the PX treatment on d 1 and 7 postchallenge, respectively, these reductions were not significant. Extending the period of NuPro supplementation beyond the first 10 d of life should be considered for achieving significant reduction in intestinal C. perfringensg levels.

Pasteurization of chicken litter with steam and quicklime to reduce Salmonella Typhimurium.

The nursery industry pasteurizes soil with steam and quicklime to reduce plant pathogens. The mechanism of action for quicklime is the resulting exothermic reaction that occurs when the chemical interacts with water and its ability to increase pH levels. These treatments may also reduce pathogens in a commercial poultry house. In this study, a steam sterilization cart simulated conditions used by the nursery industry to treat litter inoculated with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. A homogenized sample of litter was exposed to steam for 0, 5, 30, or 120 min. Quicklime was used at concentrations of 0 (control), 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0%. All steam treatments, with or without quicklime, significantly reduced Salmonella Typhimurium colonization by at least 3 orders of magnitude. Significant reductions were also observed in the treatments with quicklime alone. Both the steam and the quicklime treatments often reduced colonization to undetectable levels, even when samples were enriched. Therefore, we demonstrated 2 novel techniques for reducing Salmonella Typhimurium in poultry litter. Soil pasteurization potentially offers an environmentally sound means of reducing the pathogens present in used poultry litter.

Effect of bismuth citrate, lactose, and organic acid on necrotic enteritis in broilers.

Clostridium perfringens-associated necrotic enteritis causes significant economic losses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bismuth citrate, lactose, and organic acid on the development of necrotic enteritis in broilers. The first study was a dose response that evaluated bismuth citrate at 50, 100, or 200 ppm on bacterial intestinal colonization and lesion development associated with our C. perfringens challenge model. The second study evaluated bismuth citrate, lactose, and citric acid on intestinal pH and lesion development. For the third study, we determined if lactose would enhance the efficacy of bismuth citrate against intestinal colonization and lesion development associated with C. perfringens. In study 1, intestinal lesion scores at the 50, 100, and 200 ppm bismuth citrate treatment level were reduced (P < or = 0.05) when compared with the birds fed 0 ppm bismuth citrate. Intestinal C. perfringens colonization of the 100 and 200 ppm bismuth citrate treatment group was significantly reduced when compared with birds fed 0 ppm bismuth citrate. In study 2, we found no significant differences in lesion development, after C. perfringens challenge, between birds fed 100 ppm bismuth citrate or fed a combination of 100 ppm bismuth citrate with dietary lactose or citric acid relative to the controls. The intestinal pH of birds fed 100 ppm bismuth citrate or fed a combination of 100 ppm bismuth citrate with dietary lactose or citric acid was not significantly reduced when compared with the controls. However, a significant reduction in pH was observed in birds fed a combination of 100 ppm bismuth citrate and lactose relative to the negative controls. In study 3, a decrease (P < or = 0.05) in intestinal lesion scores occurred in birds fed lactose with 100 ppm bismuth citrate, compared with the positive controls. There were no significant differences in intestinal bacterial colonization. These preliminary data suggest that bismuth citrate may reduce intestinal lesion development and C. perfringens colonization in broilers infected with necrotic enteritis.

Efficacy of multistrain direct-fed microbial and phytogenetic products in reducing necrotic enteritis in commercial broilers.

Our laboratory is evaluating the efficacy of direct-fed microbials (DFM) and phytogenic products to control Clostridium perfringens, a gram-positive organism associated with decreased performance and morbidity and mortality associated with necrotic enteritis, as well as some recent human food safety issues. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate a DFM (PoultryStar) and a phytogenic product (PEP125), which were administered to birds from day of hatch until termination (d 25) via the drinking water or through supplementation to a wheat-corn diet, respectively. Each experiment contained a nonchallenged negative control and a positive control wherein birds were immunocompromised with a 10x dosage of infectious bursal disease vaccine at 14 d of age and subsequently gavaged with C. perfringens (10(7) cfu/mL) daily for 3 consecutive days starting on d 17. Intestinal lesions, mortality, and log10 values of C. perfringens in the probiotic and phytogenic treatment groups were found to be lower (P<0.05) than those observed in the positive controls. These experiments suggest that the DFM and the phytogenic product could be used as potential alternatives to help control C. perfringens and necrotic enteritis.

Evaluation of disinfectants commonly used by the commercial poultry industry under simulated field conditions.

The correct usage of disinfectants is an important component of a successful biosecurity program. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of time, temperature, and organic matter (OM) on disinfectant efficacy. Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium were used to represent gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria commonly found in commercial poultry housing. The first study evaluated the effect of temperature (4, 20, 32, or 43 degrees C) and time (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 30 wk) on the efficacy of disinfectants diluted to working concentrations. The second study determined the effect of OM on the efficacy of working concentrations of freshly prepared disinfectants against the bacteria. For the third study, we compared the bactericidal properties of freshly prepared disinfectants and 30-wk-old disinfectants in the presence of OM. Quaternary ammonium-, chlorhexidine-, phenolic-, and binary ammonium-based solutions represented disinfectants commonly used within the poultry industry. In the first study, all of the disinfectants were effective against S. aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium regardless of treatment. However, the phenolic compound had reduced (P

Evaluation of the bacterial diversity in cecal contents of laying hens fed various molting diets by using bacterial tag-encoded FLX amplicon pyrosequencing.

Laying hens are typically induced to molt to begin a new egg-laying cycle by withdrawing feed for up to 12 to 14 d. Fasted hens are more susceptible to colonization and tissue invasion by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. Much of this increased incidence in fasted hens is thought to be due to changes in the native intestinal microflora. An alternative to feed withdrawal involves feeding alfalfa meal crumble to hens, which is indigestible by poultry but provides fermentable substrate to the intestinal microbial population and reduces Salmonella colonization of hens compared with feed withdrawal. The present study was designed to quantify differences in the cecal microbial population of hens (n=12) fed a typical layer ration, undergoing feed withdrawal, or being fed alfalfa crumble by using a novel tag bacterial diversity amplification method. Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Clostridium were the most common genera isolated from all treatment groups. Only the ceca of hens undergoing feed withdrawal (n=4) contained Salmonella. The number of genera present was greatest in the alfalfa crumble-fed group and least in the feed withdrawal group (78 vs. 54 genera, respectively). Overall, the microbial diversity was least and Lactobacillius populations were not found in the hens undergoing feed withdrawal, which could explain much of these hens' sensitivity to colonization by Salmonella.

Foodborne Salmonella ecology in the avian gastrointestinal tract.

Foodborne Salmonella continues to be a major cause of salmonellosis with Salmonella Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium considered to be responsible for most of the infections. Investigation of outbreaks and sporadic cases has indicated that food vehicles such as poultry and poultry by-products including raw and uncooked eggs are among the most common sources of Salmonella infections. The dissemination and infection of the avian intestinal tract remain somewhat unclear. In vitro incubation of Salmonella with mammalian tissue culture cells has shown that invasion into epithelial cells is complex and involves several genetic loci and host factors. Several genes are required for the intestinal phase of Salmonella invasion and are located on Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI 1). Salmonella pathogenesis in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the effects of environmental stimuli on gene expression influence bacterial colonization and invasion. Furthermore, significant parameters of Salmonella including growth physiology, nutrient availability, pH, and energy status are considered contributing factors in the GI tract ecology. Approaches for limiting Salmonella colonization have been primarily based on the microbial ecology of the intestinal tract. In vitro studies have shown that the toxic effects of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) to some Enterobacteriaceae, including Salmonella, have resulted in a reduction in population. In addition, it has been established that native intestinal microorganisms such as Lactobacilli provide protective mechanisms against Salmonella in the ceca. A clear understanding of the key factors involved in Salmonella colonization in the avian GI tract has the potential to lead to better approach for more effective control of this foodborne pathogen.

In ovo treatment with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides decreases colonization of Salmonella enteriditis in broiler chickens.

Induction of the innate immune response in newly hatched chickens is important for limiting infections with bacteria, such as Salmonella enterica serovar Enteriditis (SE). CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) can stimulate the innate immune response of young chickens. Therefore, we examined the effectiveness of CpG-ODN administered in ovo on intestinal colonization by SE and the ability to modulate the function of heterophils in young chickens. Heterophils were isolated from 2-day-old chickens and were stimulated with heat-killed SE (HK-SE) or PMA for oxidative burst and HK-SE or live SE for degranulation assays. CpG-ODN treatment had no effect on heterophil oxidative burst when stimulated with HK-SE or PMA. However, HK-SE and live SE increased degranulation (P<0.01) in heterophils from CpG-ODN-treated birds compared to PBS-treated controls. In a second experiment, chickens were orally infected with SE on day 10 post-hatch and cecal contents were collected 6 days later for assessment of SE intestinal colonization. CpG-ODN treatment reduced SE colonization by greater than 10-fold (P<0.001) compared to PBS-injected control birds. Overall, we show for the first time that CpG-ODN given in ovo stimulates innate immune responsiveness of chicken heterophils and increases resistance of young chickens to SE colonization.

Investigation and characterization of the frozen feeder rodent industry in Texas following a multi-state Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak associated with frozen vacuum-packed rodents.

A multi-state outbreak investigation of Salmonella Typhimurim cases associated with pet snakes and the frozen vacuum-packed rodents used to feed them identified a Texas frozen feeder rodent facility (Supplier A) as the source of the Salmonella-infected frozen rodents. Texas authorities collected samples directly from Supplier A. Seven Salmonella-positive samples out of 49 environmental swabs were found and one adult mouse out of 88 frozen feeder rodents was Salmonella-positive by culture. No Salmonella strains were isolated from rodent feeds. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) subtype patterns of S. Typhimurium isolates from feeder rodent and environment samples were indistinguishable from the outbreak strain isolated from humans. A follow-up investigation was performed on all additional feeder rodent facilities identified in Texas. Salmonella was isolated at one of four facilities; seven of 100 rodent samples were positive for Salmonella at this facility. The serotype S. I 4,[5],12:i:- was isolated from seven feeder rodent samples, and PFGE patterns of the seven isolates were indistinguishable. As observed in the initial outbreak investigation, no Salmonella were cultured from rodent feeds at any of the facilities. The feeder rodent industry is an insufficiently recognized industry in the United States. Outbreak investigation and testing of additional feeder rodent facilities in Texas indicate that further evaluation of feeder rodent facilities as a source of Salmonella for pet snakes and humans is warranted.

Evaluation of an experimental chlorate product as a preslaughter feed supplement to reduce salmonella in meat-producing birds.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of experimental chlorate product (ECP) feed supplementation on Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) in the crop and ceca of market-age broilers. In trial 1, 160 market-age broilers were randomly assigned to 8 treatment groups and replicated twice, with 20 broilers per pen for 1 wk. Trial 2 used the same design, but used 80 market-age broilers with 10 broilers per pen. Treatments were as follows: 1) control feed + double-distilled drinking water (dd H(2)O); 2) control + 18.5% experimental zeolite carrier with dd H(2)O; 3 to 7) control feed supplemented with 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0, or 18.5% of a feed grade ECP + dd H(2)O; 8) control feed + 1x ECP (0.16% w/v; containing 15 mM chlorate ion equivalent) added to dd H(2)O. Seven-week-old broilers were provided experimental treatments for 7 d, killed, and then ceca and crops were removed and evaluated for ST. Broilers fed 5 to 18.5% ECP or water ECP had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) incidence of ST in the crop (36 to 38% and 14%, respectively) when compared with the control (60%). Broilers fed 10% ECP or water ECP had significantly lower ST crop concentrations (1.03 log(10) and 0.38 log(10) ST/g, respectively) when compared with broilers fed a control diet (1.54 log(10) ST/g). Crop and ceca ST incidence (32 to 48%) and concentration (1.00 to 1.82 log(10) ST/g) were significantly lower in broilers fed 5 to 18.5% ECP as compared with the control (78%; 2.84 log(10) ST/g). Broilers fed 5% or greater ECP had significantly higher water consumption (380 to 580 mL water/d) and litter moisture (31 to 56%) when compared with the control (370 mL water/d; 23% moisture). Only broilers fed 18.5% ECP had significantly lower 7-wk BW (2.77 kg of BW) when compared with the controls (3.09 kg of BW). Average daily gains were significantly depressed in broilers fed 10 or 18.5% ECP compared with the controls. These results indicate broilers supplemented with feed

The influence of a fructooligosaccharide prebiotic combined with alfalfa molt diets on the gastrointestinal tract fermentation, Salmonella enteritidis infection, and intestinal shedding in laying hens.

Molting is a natural process, which birds undergo to rejuvenate their reproductive organs. The US poultry egg production industry has used feed withdrawal to effectively induce molt; however, susceptibility of Salmonella Enteritidis has encouraged the development of alternative methods. Previous research conducted in our laboratory showed that alfalfa is effective at molt induction and provides equivalent postmolt production numbers and quality when compared with feed withdrawal. In the attempt to further increase the efficacy of alfalfa molt diet and decrease the chicken susceptibility to Salmonella Enteritidis during molt, fructooligosaccharide (FOS) was added to a combination of 90% alfalfa and 10% layer ration in 2 levels (0.750 and 0.375%). Ovary and liver colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in 3 and 2 of the 4 trials, respectively, were reduced (P 0.05) the production of cecal total volatile fatty acids when compared with hens undergoing feed withdrawal. However, in all 3 alfalfa molt diets, the concentrations of lactic acid were greater (P 0.05) were observed among hens fed alfalfa combined with FOS and hens fed alfalfa/layer ration without FOS. Overall, given the similarities between hens fed 0.750% FOS (H) and 0.375% FOS (L), molt diets combined with the lower level of FOS should be sufficient.

In vitro fermentation response of laying hen cecal bacteria to combinations of fructooligosaccharide prebiotics with alfalfa or a layer ration.

The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of combining a prebiotic with alfalfa on fermentation by laying hen cecal bacteria. Cecal contents from laying hens were diluted to a 1:3,000 concentration with an anaerobic dilution solution and added to serum tubes filled with ground alfalfa or a layer ration with or without fructooligosaccharide (FOS) prebiotic. Samples were processed in an anaerobic hood, pressurized by using a pressure manifold, and incubated at 37 degrees C. Volatile fatty acid (VFA) and lactic acid concentrations were quantified at 6 and 24 h of substrate fermentation. In this study, fermentation of alfalfa resulted in greater production of acetate, VFA, and lactic acid compared with the layer ration. Although with a relative inconsistency in data between trials, the amendment of FOS to both alfalfa and the layer ration appeared to further increase fermentation as demonstrated by overall higher propionate, butyrate, VFA, and lactic acid concentrations. The effect was more pronounced after 24 h of fermentation, implying time constraints for the optimal production of fermentation products in the chicken gastrointestinal tract. These data indicate that in vitro cecal fermentation can be enhanced by the addition of FOS.