The Role of Penicillin G Potassium in Managing Clostridium perfringens in Broiler Chickens

The efficacy of penicillin G potassium (Pot-Pen) administered via drinking water to manage necrotic enteritis (NE) was investigated in a Clostridium perfringens (CP) challenge study using 1600 broiler chickens assigned to one of four treatment groups: nonchallenged, nonmedicated; challenged, nonmedicated; challenged, Pot-Pen 0.2 g/L; challenged, Pot-Pen 0.4 g/L. Overall mortality due to NE was significantly reduced among Pot-Pen–treated pens; mortality due to other causes did not differ among the treatment groups. Among all birds, growth performance parameters were significantly improved among Pot-Pen–treated pens. When considering birds randomly sacrificed 4 days post-Pot-Pen initiation, mean NE lesion scores were greatest among the challenged, nonmedicated pens; only one of 80 randomly sacrificed birds treated with Pot-Pen had NE lesions. Among the nonmedicated control pens, body weight (BW) was significantly greater among birds that did not have NE-associated lesions. When sacrificed birds were stratified by NE lesion score, there were no significant differences in BW among the treatment groups. Results of this study suggest that CP-associated subclinical disease can significantly reduce broiler performance. Furthermore, the positive effects of treatment with Pot-Pen appeared to be associated with the prevention and/or treatment of NE-specific lesions. El papel de la penicilina G potásica en el manejo del Clostridium perfringens en pollos de engorde. Mediante un estudio de desafío de Clostridium perfringens, se investigó la eficacia de la penicilina G potásica administrada en el agua de bebida para el manejo de la enteritis necrótica. Se utilizaron 1600 pollos de engorde asignados a cuatro tratamientos: 1) no desafiados / no medicados; 2) desafiados / no medicados; 3) desafiados / medicados con penicilina G 0.2 g/L; 4) desafiados / medicados con penicilina G 0.4 g/L. En general, la mortalidad debido a enteritis necrótica se redujo en los corrales tratados con penicilina G, mientras la mortalidad por otras causas no difirió entre tratamientos. Los parámetros productivos se incrementaron significativamente en los grupos tratados. Analizando aves sacrificadas aleatoriamente 4 días posteriores a la administración de la penicilina G, el promedio del registro de lesiones entre las aves desafiadas / no medicadas fue el más alto; solo una de 80 aves tratadas con penicilina G mostró lesiones de enteritis necrótica. Entre los corrales no medicados, el peso corpor