Immune 'reprogramming' could protect poultry from deadly diseases without antibiotics

Researchers from the University of Bristol have discovered a natural gut molecule that could bolster chickens' immune systems against a variety of bacterial infections without resorting to antibiotics. This breakthrough, published in The Journal of Immunology, could revolutionize sustainable farming practices and help combat antibiotic resistance.

Overuse of antibiotics on farms has contributed to the global antimicrobial resistance crisis, posing threats to both animal and human health. The study focused on sodium butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid produced by gut bacteria, which acts as an immune system "programmer." By exposing developing immune cells called macrophages to this compound, researchers trained the chickens' natural defenses to combat future infections more effectively.

The immune system enhancement only occurred during the early, plastic stages of macrophage development; once cells matured, they did not benefit from the treatment. Sodium butyrate works through a unique mechanism, boosting the production of reactive oxygen species and accelerating autophagy, a cellular self-cleaning process that traps and destroys invaders.

Professor Shahriar Behboudi, the study's senior author, emphasized that these findings reveal that trained immunity extends beyond previously known boundaries. Lead author Dr. James Adams highlighted the growing concern over bacterial diseases in chickens, which cause significant health issues and economic losses in the poultry industry.

Addressing antimicrobial resistance is crucial for managing poultry disease and ensuring food security. The researchers believe their findings will lead to new farming strategies that enhance animal welfare and reduce the world's dependence on antibiotics.