Necrotic Enteritis

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a multifactorial epizootiology acute or subacute disease caused primarily by Clostridium perfringens, mainly type A and C. NE is a worldwide distributed disease, and its importance is rising everywhere, where antimicrobial growth promoters have been banned or voluntarily ceased. C. perfringens overgrowth in the intestines occurs due to several predisposing factors, such as intestinal mucosa damage, low intestine pH level and co-infection with coccidia. Infections with Clostridium perfringens in poultry can cause several clinical manifestations and lesions, including necrotic enteritis, necrotic dermatitis, cholangiohepatitis and gizzard erosion. However, a subclinical infection has been reported. Gross lesions of NE are primarily confined to the jejunum and ileum. The disease is characterised by severe fibrinonecrotic enteritis and the formation of a diphtheritic pseudomembrane. The diagnosis of NE depends on post-mortem lesions and bacteriological examination. NE can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin, bacitracin and lincomycin.; however, its control relies on restoring the normal microflora using probiotics, prebiotics and phytogenic substances and controlling pathogens involved in intestinal damage. Strict hygienic management practices and carefully selecting feed ingredients for ration formulation are also paramount.