The research team, based at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in Iran, worked with 390 male Ross 308 broiler chickens divided into six treatment groups, each with five replicates of 13 birds. The birds were fed either a basal control diet or diets supplemented with a six-strain probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Pediococcus acidilactici, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens at a minimum concentration of one billion colony-forming units per gram, chelated zinc at 120 milligrams per kilogram of feed, chelated copper at 150 milligrams per kilogram, or all three additives combined. To reproduce the conditions under which necrotic enteritis strikes in commercial flocks, the researchers primed the birds with a twenty-fold dose of a coccidiosis vaccine on day 11 — coccidial damage being a classic predisposing factor for the disease — and then administered an aggressive culture of C. perfringens (strain ATCC 13124) at two times ten to the eighth CFU per millilitre on days 13, 14 and 15. The experiment ran to day 21, with growth, carcass traits, gut architecture, microbial populations, blood chemistry, cecal fatty acids, meat oxidation, lesion scores and mortality all measured along the way.

The challenge worked exactly as intended. Birds exposed to C. perfringens grew significantly less than their unchallenged counterparts, finishing the 21-day period at 541 grams of cumulative body weight gain against 584 grams for the clean control group, with feed conversion deteriorating from 1.58 to 1.78 grams of feed per gram of gain. The physiological explanation is well understood: the bacterium produces toxins that erode the intestinal epithelium, triggering inflammation that diverts energy and amino acids away from muscle growth toward immune defence, while the damaged gut lining absorbs nutrients less efficiently. The challenge also left its fingerprints everywhere else in the data — breast muscle yield dropped sharply, ileal lesion scores climbed to 2.80 on a four-point scale, mortality reached 6.15 percent, and meat lipid oxidation, measured as malondialdehyde, rose to 3.10 micrograms per gram.

Against this grim backdrop, the probiotic group emerged as the single most effective intervention. Birds receiving the strain mix on top of the challenge regained nearly all the lost ground, achieving 581 grams of weight gain and posting the best early feed conversion of any challenged group. Under the microscope, the difference was striking: duodenal villus height in the probiotic group reached almost 1600 micrometres, the highest of any treatment and far above the 1121 micrometres seen in challenged, unsupplemented birds, while crypt depth fell and the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio climbed to 8.22 — a classic signature of a healthy, absorptive intestine. The probiotic also reshaped the microbial landscape, cutting ileal C. perfringens counts from 14 million to 5.5 million CFU per gram and boosting resident Bacillus populations, the very organisms best known for producing antibacterial compounds such as lichenicidin that punch holes in pathogenic cell membranes.

Chelated zinc told a complementary story. Zinc-supplemented challenged birds matched the probiotic group in body weight, and their feed intake over the full rearing period was the highest of any treatment at 985 grams. The mineral’s benefits likely stem from its well-documented role in tightening the intestinal barrier and modulating inflammation: earlier work cited by the team shows chelated zinc upregulates the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 while suppressing IL-8 and other pro-inflammatory signals, restoring intestinal cell membrane integrity during infection. Zinc’s superior performance relative to inorganic sources is usually attributed to the higher bioavailability of chelated forms, which are absorbed through different pathways and place less demand on plasma albumin for transport. Ileal lesion scores in the zinc group fell to 1.60, and lipid oxidation in thigh meat dropped to 2.65 micrograms per gram, reflecting zinc’s participation in the bird’s antioxidant machinery.

Copper, by contrast, was the weakest solo performer. Birds given chelated copper grew no better than the unsupplemented challenge group over the full period and actually showed the lowest early body weight of all treatments. Yet copper was not without value: challenged birds receiving it recovered breast muscle yield to 18.53 percent of live weight, essentially matching the unchallenged control, and mortality fell to 1.53 percent. The authors note that copper’s antibacterial reputation rests largely on pharmacological doses around 250 milligrams per kilogram, considerably above the 150 milligrams per kilogram used here, which may explain the muted growth response.

The triple combination produced a genuinely mixed verdict. On several fronts it excelled: birds receiving probiotics, zinc and copper together suffered zero mortality, scored the lowest ileal lesion severity of any challenged group at 1.40, restored breast yield to 18.92 percent, and preserved jejunum architecture so well that their villus height-to-crypt depth ratio of 7.68 rivalled the healthy control. Blood biochemistry also shifted, with the combination group showing the lowest serum glucose and HDL cholesterol, consistent with altered lipid and metal metabolism when both minerals arrive in organic complexes. However, the trio failed to replicate the probiotic’s standout gains in body weight and duodenal villus height, and it delivered only intermediate results for feed intake.

The cecal short-chain fatty acid data reveal why more is not always better. Probiotic supplementation raised acetate, propionate and butyrate concentrations toward or above control levels — butyrate being the preferred fuel of enterocytes and a critical reinforcement agent for tight junctions. Zinc and copper given alone, however, sharply suppressed the fatty acid profile, with acetate falling to 25.56 and 22.50 micrograms per gram respectively. This suppression is thought to reflect the sensitivity of Lactobacillus species, key fatty-acid producers, to elevated concentrations of both metals, with copper reported in prior studies to eliminate beneficial strains such as Lactobacillus johnsonii outright. The combination group, containing the probiotic, largely avoided this pitfall, posting acetate and butyrate values statistically comparable to the control — evidence that the live microbes could partially buffer the antibacterial pressure of the minerals on the fermentative community.

The study’s overall picture is nuanced rather than triumphalist. C. perfringens unquestionably devastates growth, gut morphology, meat quality and survival, and probiotic supplementation stands out as the most consistently protective single intervention, working through competitive exclusion, organic acid production, bacteriocin release and direct architectural repair of the villi. Zinc earns its place as a robust second pillar, particularly for feed intake and barrier integrity, while copper contributes to meat yield and survival but underperforms at the dose tested. The three-way combination shines where it matters most to producers — mortality, lesion severity and breast yield — but dilutes some of the probiotic’s growth-promoting power, possibly through mineral-driven suppression of the very bacteria that make probiotics work. For an industry searching for antibiotic alternatives, the message is that nutritional strategies must be designed with their interactions in mind: the goal is not simply to stack protective additives, but to balance their antimicrobial potency against their capacity to nurture the beneficial fermenters that keep the gut — and the flock — thriving.

Subject of Research: The effects of multi-strain probiotics, chelated zinc and chelated copper on broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens.

Article Title: The Effect of Multi‐Strain Probiotics, Zinc and Copper on the Performance of Broiler Chickens Challenged With Clostridium perfringens

Article References: Kazemi, A., Kermanshahi, H., Heravi, R. M., Jouzani, G. S., & Javadmanesh, A. (2026). The Effect of Multi‐Strain Probiotics, Zinc and Copper on the Performance of Broiler Chickens Challenged With Clostridium perfringens. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 12(5), Article e71176. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.71176

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1002/vms3.71176

Keywords: necrotic enteritis, Clostridium perfringens, broiler chickens, probiotics, zinc supplementation, copper supplementation, gut health, intestinal microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, poultry nutrition, antibiotic alternatives, feed conversion ratio

In their impactful study, the authors utilized advanced isolation techniques to obtain samples from Egyptian fruit bats. These bats are widely distributed across Africa and are known to thrive in various habitats. By focusing on this species, the researchers aimed to establish a clearer understanding of how C. perfringens may be transmitted within bat populations and potentially to other animals or humans. This research not only advances our comprehension of zoonotic diseases but also highlights the importance of monitoring wildlife health as an integral part of global health strategies.

Their analysis included a comprehensive toxin gene profiling, which is essential in understanding the pathogenicity of the strains of C. perfringens found in the bats. Toxins produced by this bacterium contribute significantly to its virulence, and any alterations in the profiles could have profound implications for pathogenic potential. By decoding these profiles, the authors were able to offer insights into which genes are most commonly associated with serious infections and how they might evolve over time in response to environmental pressures.

Phylogenetic analysis conducted in this study provided further context for understanding the evolutionary relationships between various isolates of C. perfringens. By comparing genetic sequences from the bat samples with those from other known sources, the researchers could ascertain not just the current state of these bacterial strains, but also track their historical lineage. This aspect of the research underlines the interconnectedness of different species and the importance of a One Health approach in addressing public health risks associated with zoonotic pathogens.

In addition to the scientific instrumentation used to isolate and analyze these pathogens, the research highlights the methodological rigor that is increasingly vital in microbiological research. The combination of molecular techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genomics, allows for a more refined understanding of bacterial populations. These innovations in the field can lead to more rapid responses during outbreaks but also play a critical role in early detection efforts.

Public health officials face challenges in mitigating the risks associated with wildlife-borne pathogens like C. perfringens. The findings from this research underscore the need for increased surveillance in regions where human populations intersect with wildlife habitats, particularly in areas with known fruit bat populations. Heightened awareness and strategic planning can help in preemptively addressing potential outbreaks before they escalate into widespread health crises.

Moreover, the study brings to the forefront the importance of educating communities living in proximity to bat habitats about safe practices to avoid contagion. Understanding the specific risks associated with contact, consumption of contaminated food, or inhalation of contaminated dust is essential for mitigating the public health risks posed by C. perfringens and similar pathogens. Engaging local populations in this dialogue can empower them to take proactive steps to protect their health.

In discussing the epidemiological implications of their findings, the authors advocate for a cohesive approach that combines both public health information and ecological studies. The intricate bond between humans, bats, and the pathogens they harbor necessitates ongoing research and collaboration among diverse fields, including microbiology, veterinary medicine, and public health. Addressing these intersectional aspects can significantly enhance global health security.

Furthermore, this research serves as a call to action, encouraging further investigations into other potential wildlife reservoirs of C. perfringens and similar pathogens. A broader understanding of the ecology of these bacteria may uncover additional reservoirs and transmission dynamics that have thus far gone unnoticed. This could lead to the identification of critical intervention points for reducing the risk of human exposure.

C. perfringens is often viewed through a narrow lens of clinical significance, primarily associated with foodborne illnesses. However, the evidence presented in this research reveals a much more complex ecological narrative. By situating the bat-borne strains within the greater framework of environmental health, the study challenges existing narratives and paves the way for a more nuanced understanding of zoonotic disease transmission.

In conclusion, the study by Allam, Abdel-kader, and Kadry serves not only as a critical contribution to the understanding of Clostridium perfringens in wildlife but also acts as a beacon for future research trajectories in the field. Their meticulous approach, combining isolation techniques, toxin profiling, and phylogenetic analysis, sets a formidable framework for investigating other pathogens that may be lurking in the animal kingdom. As we move forward in uncharted public health territories, integrating insights from diverse disciplines will be paramount in crafting effective strategies to safeguard population health.

The ramifications of unnatural interactions between wildlife and human populations will invariably shape public health policies in the future. Researchers, public health officials, and wildlife conservationists must work hand in hand to ensure that zoonotic diseases remain at the forefront of our collective consciousness. The vital role that fruit bats play in their ecosystems, and the potential risks they pose as reservoirs of pathogens, must not be underestimated, and proactive measures should be enacted to enhance surveillance and intervention strategies.

As we navigate the complexities of this essential research, the outcomes point toward a future that embraces collaborative efforts across scientific disciplines. Harnessing this collective knowledge could ultimately shape our efforts to contain zoonotic diseases effectively, ensuring that both human and ecological health are prioritized in tandem with one another.

Subject of Research: Clostridium perfringens in Egyptian fruit bats and its public health implications.

Article Title: Isolation, toxin gene profiling, and phylogenetic analysis of Clostridium perfringens in Egyptian fruit bats: public health and epidemiological implications.

Article References: Allam, T.A., Abdel-kader, F. & Kadry, M. Isolation, toxin gene profiling, and phylogenetic analysis of Clostridium perfringens in Egyptian fruit bats: public health and epidemiological implications. Sci Rep 15, 40354 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-26288-3

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-26288-3

Keywords: Clostridium perfringens, Egyptian fruit bats, public health, epidemiology, zoonotic diseases, toxin gene profiling, phylogenetic analysis.