Probiotic Enterococcus faecium (M74) as a Sustainable Alternative to Antibiotics for Controlling Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens: Implications for Egypt’s Vision 2030 on Sustainable Agriculture

Enterococcus faecium (M74), a lactic acid bacterium naturally inhabiting the intestinal tract, functions as a probiotic with substantial potential in promoting animal health. Incorporating E. faecium (M74) into poultry diets has been shown to decrease fecal concentrations of Clostridium perfringens while increasing the abundance of beneficial Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli . Importantly, this research aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030, particularly the national objectives concerning sustainable agriculture, food safety, and public health. The findings contribute to Egypt’s strategic goals of promoting responsible antibiotic use, developing eco-friendly and sustainable livestock production systems, and ensuring food security through scientific innovation. By advancing natural probiotic alternatives, this study supports Egypt’s efforts to safeguard both animal and human health, reduce antibiotic dependency, and enhance the competitiveness of the poultry industry in line with sustainable development priorities. Aim: This study evaluated the potential of Enterococcus faecium (M74) as a probiotic alternative to antibiotics for controlling necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens, considering the growing public health challenge of antibiotic resistance. The investigation focused on elucidating the possible mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects by assessing growth performance, carcass characteristics, hematological profile, liver and kidney functions, immunological response, histopathological alterations of gastrointestinal tissues, and re-isolation of C. perfringens from infected birds. Results: The prophylactic and treated groups exhibited a significant reduction in C. perfringens and total coliform counts compared with the positive control. The relative lengths of the jejunum and ileum at day 35 were markedly greater in the E. faecium groups, whereas the cecal length was significantly reduced at day 21. Supplementation with E. faecium (M74) also improved growth performance, hematological indices, hepatic and renal functions, immune profile, and gut histopathology in broilers experimentally challenged with C. perfringens . Conclusion: Enterococcus faecium (M74) effectively mitigated C. perfringens -induced necrotic enteritis and its adverse physiological consequences in broilers. Given the global concern regarding antibiotic resistance, E. faecium (M74) represents a promising probiotic alternative to conventional antibiotics, with the prophylactic application demonstrating superior efficacy to therapeutic treatment.