Positive biofilms to control surface-associated microbial communities in a broiler chicken production system - a field study.

In the One Health concept, the use of beneficial bacteria to form positive biofilms that prevent the settlement of undesirable bacteria is a promising solution to limit the use of antimicrobials on farms. However, there is a lack of field studies reporting the onset of these beneficial bacteria after application and the effects on autochthonous surface microbiota. In the study reported here, the inner surfaces of commercial broiler chicken houses were treated or not with a bacterial consortium composed of Bacillus spp. and Pediococcus spp. strains, able to form covering biofilms in different laboratory models. Preinstalled coupons were sampled over time to capture microbial biofilm dynamics on-farm surfaces. The results showed that the bacterial consortium can establish on the farm surfaces, modulate microbial communities, and limit the implantation of Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcaceae, two families containing potential pathogens.

Positive biofilms to guide surface microbial ecology in livestock buildings.

The increase in human consumption of animal proteins implies changes in the management of meat production. This is followed by increasingly restrictive regulations on antimicrobial products such as chemical biocides and antibiotics, used in particular to control pathogens that can spread zoonotic diseases. Aligned with the One Health concept, alternative biological solutions are under development and are starting to be used in animal production. Beneficial bacteria able to form positive biofilms and guide surface microbial ecology to limit microbial pathogen settlement are promising tools that could complement existing biosecurity practices to maintain the hygiene of livestock buildings. Although the benefits of positive biofilms have already been documented, the associated fundamental mechanisms and the rationale of the microbial composition of these new products are still sparce. This review provides an overview of the envisioned modes of action of positive biofilms used on livestock building surfaces and the resulting criteria for the selection of the appropriate microorganisms for this specific application. Limits and advantages of this biosecurity approach are discussed as well as the impact of such practices along the food chain, from farm to fork.

Genome Sequence of Bacillus velezensis P1, a Strain Isolated from a Biofilm Captured on a Pig Farm Building.

The genome of the Bacillus velezensis P1 strain isolated from a biofilm on the wall of a pig farm was sequenced. The strain harbors many surface colonization genes involved in surfactant, matrix, and antibacterial synthesis.

Capture and Ex-Situ Analysis of Environmental Biofilms in Livestock Buildings.

Little information about biofilm microbial communities on the surface of livestock buildings is available yet. While these spatially organized communities proliferate in close contact with animals and can harbor undesirable microorganisms, no standardized methods have been described to sample them non-destructively. We propose a reproducible coupon-based capture method associated with a set of complementary ex-situ analysis tools to describe the major features of those communities. To demonstrate the biofilm dynamics in a pig farm building, we analyzed the coupons on polymeric and metallic materials, as representative of these environments, over 4 weeks. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed a rapid coverage of the coupons with a thick layer of biological material and the existence of dispersed clusters of active metabolic microorganisms. After detaching the cells from the coupons, counts to quantify the CFU/cm2 were done with high reproducibility. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region shows bacterial diversity profiles in accordance with reported bacteria diversity in pig intestinal ecosystems and reveals differences between materials. The coupon-based methodology allows us to deepen our knowledge on biofilm structure and composition on the surface of a pig farm and opens the door for application in different types of livestock buildings.