The complexity of the microbial population of the animal gastro-intestinal tract has been recognised long ago. This book provides information on diverse bacterial populations of different animal types. It also makes reference to those microbial groups considered to be of special benefit to the health and immune protection of the animal bacteria.

Scope and treatment of the subject matter and the kind of information that can be found in the volume includes: colonisation and development (succession), and mucosal surface composition of the normal microbial population flora in the healthy animal are addressed, whilst extensive information is given on diverse and dominating bacterial populations of different animal types. Reference is also made to those microbial groups considered to be of special benefit to the health and immune protection of the (young) animal bacteria. The development and application of models of the Gastro-Intestinal tract provides a solid basis for studying gut microbial interactions, whilst molecular approaches and the use of molecular tools to monitor the presence of specific strains in the intestine is treated in a comprehensive manner.

Preface by Series Editors
Preface by Volume Editors
Acknowledgements
List of contributors
Part I. The flora and fauna of the developing GI tract
1. Development of the digestive tract of gnotobiotic animals, by A. Bomba, R. Nemcova and S. Gancareikova
2. Metabolism and population dynamics of the intestinal microflora in the growing pig, by M. Katouli and P. Wallgren
3. Rumen protozoa in the growing domestic ruminants, by T. Michaowski
4. Microbial ecology of the digestive tract in reindeer - seasonal changes, by S.D. Mathiesen, R.I. Mackie, A. Aschfalk, E. Ringo and M.A. Sundset
5. Microbial ecology of the GI tract of the growing dog and cat, by J. Zentek
6. Molecular approaches in the study of gut micro-ecology, by A. Schwiertz and M. Blaut
7. Models of the gastro-intestinal tract to study microbial interactions, by M. Minekus
Part II. Pathogenicity in developing animals
8. Adhesins and receptors for colonization by different pathotypes of Escherichia coli in calves and young pigs, by B. Nagy, I. Toth and P.Zs. Fekete
9. The farm animal as potential reservoir of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the food chain, by G. Klein and C.M.A.P. Franz
10. Pathogenesis and the GI tract of growing fish, by T.H. Birkbeck and E.Ringo
11. Modelling of salmonellosis, by P.J. Naughton and G. Grant
12. Bacterial colonisation of avian mucosal surfaces, by R.M. La Ragione, D.G. Newell and M.J. Woodward
Part III. The immune response in growing animals
13. Mucosal immunity and bovine entero-mammary link: evolutionary established dialogue between antigen and arms of immune system, by M. Niemiatowski, A. Schollenberger and W. Klucinski
14. Development of the immune response in relation to bacterial disease in the growing fish , by A.E. Ellis
15. Development of lactobacilli for mucosal immunisation, by J.F.M.L. Seegers, C.E.G. Havenith, S.H.A. Kremer and P.H. Pouwels
16. The influence of the lactic acid bacteria and other resident microflora on the immune system of the growing animal, by G. Perdigon, R. Fuller and M. Medina
Part IV. Probiotics and disease prevention strategies
17. Prospects of fish probiotics, by L. Gram and E. Ringo
18. Antimicrobial activity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from aquatic animals and the use of lactic acid bacteria in aquaculture, by E. Ringo, U. Schillinger and W. Holzapfel
19. Enhancement of the efficacy of probiotic microorganisms in nutrition and prevention of diseases of the young animal, by A. Bomba, R. Nemcova and D. Mudrooova
20. Strategies for the prevention of E. coli infection in the young animal, by E. Van Driessche and S. Beeckmans
Index