A PMAxx qPCR Assay Reveals That Dietary Administration of the Microalgae Does Not Affect Infantis Caecal Content in Early-Treated Broiler Chickens.

serovars cause infections in humans. subsp. serovar Infantis is considered relevant and is commonly reported in poultry products. Evaluating innovative approaches for resisting colonization in animals could contribute to the goal of reducing potential human infections. Microalgae represent a source of molecules associated with performance and health improvement in chickens. synthesizes fermentable polysaccharides as part of their cell wall content; these sugars are known for influencing caecal bacterial diversity. We hypothesized if its dietary administration could exert a positive effect on caecal microbiota in favor of a reduced Infantis load. A total of 72 one-day-old broiler chickens (COBB 500) were randomly allocated into three groups: a control, a group infected with bacteria (day 4), and a group challenged with Infantis but fed a microalgae-based diet. Caecal samples ( = 8) were collected two days post-infection. A PMAxx-based qPCR approach was developed to assess differences regarding bacterial viable load between groups. The inclusion of the microalga did not modify Infantis content, although the assay proved to be efficient, sensitive, and repeatable. The utilized scheme could serve as a foundation for developing novel PCR-based methodologies for estimating colonization.