Novel Antimicrobial Alternatives: Evaluating Probiotic, Plant-Based, and Peptide Therapies for Infectious Diseases in Dairy Animals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62497/ijrab.221Keywords:
Dairy animals, Plant-based antimicrobials, Probiotics, Antimicrobial peptides, Infectious diseasesAbstract
Background: Infectious diseases in dairy animals pose considerable risks to animal health and welfare, productivity and the economic viability of dairy production. Overuse of antibiotics has led to an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the need for ecologically sound and sustainable options for disease prevention and treatment has emerged. Probiotics, plant extracts and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are emerging therapeutic interventions that could potentially have immunomodulatory and/or antimicrobial effects.
Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of probiotic, plant-based, and peptide therapies as novel antimicrobials for prevention and therapy of infectious diseases in dairy animals.
Methodology: A randomized, placebo-controlled, and blinded experimental trial was carried out for six months on 90 clinically healthy dairy animals at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. The animals were divided into probiotic, phytotherapy, peptide therapy and the control group. Interventions were administered orally or subcutaneously according to standardized doses. Animals were monitored weekly for infection incidence, severity, immune parameters, productivity, and adverse reactions. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and ANOVA tests.
Results: Infection incidence was reduced by 73.92% in the probiotic group, 63.64% in the plant-based group, and 82.61% in the peptide therapy group compared to 50% in controls. Infection severity decreased by 59.33%, 46.49%, and 69.42% in probiotic, plant-based, and peptide therapy groups, respectively. Immune parameters, including leukocyte count, IgA levels, and neutrophil function, improved significantly, with the highest enhancement in the peptide therapy group (82.61%). Productivity increased by 79.13%, 75%, and 86.96% in probiotic, plant-based, and peptide therapy groups, respectively. No significant adverse effects were observed.
Conclusion: Probiotic, plant-based, and peptide therapies are effective and safe antimicrobial alternatives for managing infectious diseases in dairy animals, with peptide therapy showing the highest overall efficacy.
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