Effects of a multi-strain probiotic (PrimaLac) on performance and antibody responses to Newcastle disease virus and infectious bursal disease virus vaccination in broiler chickens.

The effects of the probiotic PrimaLac (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcus faecium and Bifidobacterium bifidium) was investigated on performance and immune responses to vaccination against Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease in broiler chickens. Use of PrimaLac significantly (P<0.05) enhanced broiler performance by improving body weight and decreasing the feed conversion ratio. Although administration of the probiotic appeared to improve the antibody responses to Newcastle disease virus and infectious bursal disease vaccination, the antibody titres of the probiotic-treated group were not significantly different from those not receiving probiotics.