Els animals policia

Treball presentat a l'assignatura de Deontologia i Veterinària Legal (21223

Update on Glässer’s disease: How to control the disease under restrictive use of antimicrobials

Antimicrobials have been commonly used to control bacterial diseases in farm animals. The efficacy of these drugs deterred the development of other control measures, such as vaccines, which are currently getting more attention due to the increased concern about antimicrobial resistance. Glässer’s disease is caused by Glaesserella (Haemophilus) parasuis and affects pork production around the world. Balance between colonization and immunity seems to be essential in disease control. Reduction in antimicrobial use in veterinary medicine requires the implementation of preventive measures, based on alternative tools such as vaccination and other strategies to guarantee a beneficial microbial colonization of the animals. The present review summarizes and discusses the current knowledge on diagnosis and control of Glässer’s disease, including prospects on alternatives to antimicrobials.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Blood parameters as biomarkers in a Salmonella spp. disease model of weaning piglets

peer-reviewedBackground The weaning pig is used as an experimental model to assess the impact of diet on intestinal health. Blood parameters (BP) are considered a useful tool in humans, but there is very scarce information of such indicators in the weaning pig. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the use of different BP as indicators in an experimental model of salmonellosis. Methodology Seventy-two 28-day-old piglets were divided into four groups in a 2x2 factorial arrangement, with animals receiving or not a probiotic combination based on B. infantis IM1® and B. lactis BPL6 (109 colony forming units (cfu)/d) and orally challenged or not a week later with Salmonella Typhimurium (5x108 cfu). Blood samples of one animal per pen (N = 24) were taken four days post-inoculation for the evaluation of different BP using an I-stat® System and of plasmatic concentrations of zinc, iron and copper. Principal findings Results reported marginal deficiencies of zinc in piglets at weaning. Moreover, plasmatic zinc, copper and iron presented good correlations with weight gain (r 0.57, r -0.67, r 0.54 respectively; P < 0.01). Blood electrolytes (Na+, Cl- and K+) decreased (P < 0.01) only when the performance of the animals was seriously compromised and clinical symptoms were more apparent. Acid-base balance parameters such as HCO3-, TCO2 and BEecf significantly correlated with weight gain, but only in the challenged animals (r -0.54, r -0.55, and r -0.51, respectively; P < 0.05), suggesting metabolic acidosis depending on Salmonella infection. Glucose was affected by the challenge (P = 0.040), while Htc and Hgb increased with the challenge and decreased with the probiotic (P < 0.05). Furthermore, correlations of Glu, Htc and Hgb with weight gain were observed (P < 0.05). Overall, BP could be regarded as simple, useful indexes to assess performance and health of weaning piglets

Response to a Salmonella Typhimurium challenge in piglets supplemented with protected sodium butyrate or Bacillus licheniformis : effects on performance, intestinal health and behavior

Salmonella spp. is one of the worldwide leading causes of food-borne illnesses for which the inclusion of probiotics or organic acids in animal feeds can be useful control methods. Experimental models are utilized to test the efficacy of strategies against pathogens, but they exhibit limitations which may preclude finding sensible evaluation parameters. The objective of this work is to evaluate the efficacy of 2 different feed additives; a Bacillus licheniformis based probiotic and a protected sodium butyrate (SB) salt, using an experimental model of salmonellosis and, second, to explore if behavior analysis can be used as a sensible evaluation tool for additives evaluation. A total of 78 piglets weaned at 24 d, 8.3 kg BW, were used. Seventy-two were placed in 3 rooms of 8 pens (3 animals/pen) with evenly distributed treatments (n = 8): CON, control group with plain diet; PRO, plain diet with 1 kg/t of Proporc (10 9 cfu of B. licheniformis /kg of feed), and BUT, plain diet with 3 kg/t of Gustor BP70 (2.1 g of partially protected SB salt/kg of feed). Remaining piglets (n = 6) were separated and used as a challenge negative control. The experiment lasted 16 d. After 1 wk of adaptation, animals were challenged with 5 × 10 8 cfu of Salmonella Typhimurium. One pig per pen was euthanized and sampled at d 4 and 8 post-inoculation (PI). There were no significant differences among treatments for ADFI, ADG, G:F, rectal temperature, fecal consistency, pH, ammonia, short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid concentrations, cytokine TNF-α, Pig-MAP acute-phase proteins and histological parameters. However, both products were equally able to reduce colonization and shedding of Salmonella (P = 0.016 for PRO and BUT vs. CON). In addition, PRO treatment had a positive effect on behavioral displays, particularly exploring (P < 0.05 vs. CON), feeding (P < 0.05 vs. CON and BUT) and other active behaviors (P < 0.05 vs. CON and BUT) in the morning period (0830 to 1030 h). In the afternoon (1400 to 1600 h), the challenge effect was most significant. Pigs were less active after the challenge (P < 0.001), with a decrease in positive contacts (P = 0.004), exploration (P < 0.001) and feeding behaviors (P < 0.001) on d 3 PI, in comparison with before the challenge. Accordingly, many lying conducts increased at d 3 PI (P < 0.05). In conclusion, both treatments had positive effects against Salmonella, and behavior analysis appears to be a sensible tool to be considered

Evaluation of probiotic strategies in the prevention of piglet post-weaning gastrointestinal disorders

La presente tesis tiene como objetivo evaluar el potencial de nuevos tratamientos probióticos en lechones recién destetados para mejorar la salud intestinal y combatir patógenos, indagando en posibles mecanismos de acción. Secundariamente, la tesis persigue el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas sensibles para evaluar la respuesta de los animales a los probióticos bajo modelos experimentales. Para lograr los objetivos, se diseñaron cuatro pruebas. En las pruebas 1 y 2, se evaluó el potencial de la cepa probiótica Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Infantis CECT 7210 en lechones destetados frente a un desafío oral con Salmonella Typhimurium y ETEC K88 respectivamente. La prueba 3 evaluó la respuesta de la combinación de la cepa anterior con Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BPL6 en un desafío de Salmonella Typhimurium. Finalmente, la prueba 4 evaluó el probiótico Bacillus licheniformis CECT 4536 en un desafío con Salmonella Typhimurium. Se utilizó un protocolo similar en todas las pruebas. Brevemente, 72 lechones recién destetados fueron transportados a las instalaciones de la universidad. Para las pruebas 1-3, los animales se distribuyeron en 24 corrales en un diseño factorial 2x2; tratados o no con el probiótico y desafiados o no con el patógeno. En la prueba 4, se evaluaron dos tratamientos, el probiótico y el butirato sódico; con 6 lechones adicionales usados como control negativo del desafío. Después de un período de adaptación, los animales fueron desafiados oralmente con el patógeno correspondiente y un animal por corral fue sacrificado los días 4 y 8/9 post-inoculación (PI). En todos los experimentos se evaluó el rendimiento productivo, signos clínicos, excreción de patógenos, perfil de fermentación, respuesta inmune y morfología intestinal. Además, en la prueba 3 se analizó un panel de biomarcadores sanguíneos y en la prueba 4 se realizó un análisis sistemático del comportamiento. La cepa probiótica Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Infantis CECT 7210 aumentó los linfocitos intraepiteliales, redujo la excreción de Salmonella (prueba 1) y la colonización de coliformes en el íleon (prueba 2). En animales no desafiados aumentó el ácido butírico y la ratio vellosidad:cripta los días 8/9 PI. Los efectos sobre el consumo de alimento, la fermentación microbiana y la arquitectura intestinal mostraron un patrón diferente entre animales desafiados y no desafiados. Cuando la cepa anterior se combinó con Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BPL6 los efectos beneficiosos del probiótico fueron observados en ambos grupos, desafiados y no desafiados; aumentando la ingesta voluntaria de alimento, disminuyendo la consistencia fecal del periodo PI, mejorando los perfiles de fermentación a día 8 PI, estimulando la respuesta inmune intestinal con un aumento de los linfocitos intraepiteliales y mejorando la relación vellosidad:cripta. La combinación probiótica también redujo la excreción fecal de Salmonella y disminuyó la temperatura rectal a niveles similares a los animales no desafiados 48 horas PI. Respecto a los biomarcadores sanguíneos, los micro-minerales fueron útiles para describir el rendimiento de los cerdos. Los electrolitos y los índices de bases ácidas permitieron detectar los animales más afectados. Finalmente, los parámetros bioquímicos fueron buenos descriptores del estado de salud. En la prueba 4, el probiótico Bacillus licheniformis CECT 4536 redujo la excreción de Salmonella. No se observaron efectos significativos del probiótico en el resto de parámetros evaluados. Sin embargo, se observó un efecto positivo del probiótico en el comportamiento, particularmente en relación a la exploración, alimentación y otros comportamientos activos durante el período de la mañana. Los resultados de esta tesis indican que los probióticos pueden ser una forma de mejorar la adaptación de los lechones al destete y a la presión de patógenos. Además, demuestran que el análisis de parámetros sanguíneos y comportamiento pueden ser herramientas sensibles a considerar en la investigación de aditivos alimentarios.The main objective of the Thesis was to evaluate the potential of new probiotics treatments in weanling pigs to enhance gut health at early life stages and to fight intestinal pathogens, giving insights regarding possible modes of action. Secondarily, the Thesis also pursued the development of new sensible tools to evaluate the response of the animals to probiotics under experimental models. To achieve the objectives, four trials were designed. In Trial 1 and Trial 2, the potential of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Infantis CECT 7210 was evaluated in weanling piglets in front of a Salmonella Typhimurium and an ETEC K88 oral challenge respectively. Trial 3 evaluated the response of the combination of the previous strain with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BPL6 in a Salmonella Typhimurium challenge. Finally, in Trial 4 the probiotic Bacillus licheniformis CECT 4536 was assessed in piglets experimentally challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium. A similar protocol was used in all Trials. In brief, 72 weanling piglets were transported to the university facilities from commercial farms. For Trials 1-3 animals were distributed in 24 pens in a 2 x 2 factorial design; treated or not with the probiotic and challenged or not with the pathogen. In Trial 4, two treatments were evaluated in the same facility, the probiotic and sodium butyrate; with 6 extra piglets used as a challenge negative control. After an adaptation period, animals were orally challenged with the corresponding pathogen and one animal per pen was euthanized at Day 4 and 8/9 post-inoculation (PI). For all experiments, main parameters assessed were animal performance, clinical signs, pathogen excretion, fermentation profile, immune response and intestinal morphology. Moreover, in Trial 3 a panel of blood biomarkers was analyzed and in Trial 4 a systematic behavior analysis was performed. The probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Infantis CECT 7210 increased intraepithelial lymphocytes and reduced Salmonella shedding (Trial 1) and ileum coliform colonization (Trial 2). In non-challenged animals it increased butyric acid and the villus:crypt ratio at Days 8/9 PI. Effects on feed intake, microbial fermentation and intestinal architecture showed a differential pattern between challenged and non-challenged animals. When the previous strain was combined with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BPL6, the beneficial effects of the probiotics were seen in both groups, challenged and non-challenged; increasing voluntary feed intake, decreasing diarrhea scores of the PI period, improving fermentation profiles at Day 8 PI, stimulating intestinal immune response by increasing intraepithelial lymphocytes and improving villus:crypt ratio. The probiotic combination also reduced fecal excretion of Salmonella and decreased rectal temperature to similar levels to non-challenged animals 48 hours PI. Regarding the blood biomarkers tested, micro-minerals zinc and cupper were useful descriptors of pig performance. Blood electrolytes (sodium, chloride and potassium) and acid base indexes (bicarbonate, total carbon dioxide and base excess in the extracellular fluid compartment) enabled to detect the most distressed animals. Finally, biochemical parameters assessed (glucose, hematocrit and hemoglobin) were good descriptors of health status. In Trial 4, the probiotic Bacillus licheniformis CECT 4536 reduced shedding of Salmonella. No significant effects of the probiotic were seen for performance, rectal temperature, fecal consistency, fermentation profile, inflammatory response and histological parameters. However, a positive effect of the probiotic on behavioral displays was observed. Particularly exploring, feeding and other active behaviors in the morning period. The results exposed in this thesis have highlighted that the use of probiotics may be a way to improve response of piglets to early weaning and pathogen pressure. Furthermore, the Thesis demonstrated that the analysis of blood parameters and behavior can be sensible tools to be considered in feed additive research

Evaluation of probiotic strategies in the prevention of piglet post-weaning gastrointestinal disorders

Departament responsable de la tesi: Departament de Ciència Animal i dels AlimentsPremi Extraordinari de Doctorat concedit pels programes de doctorat de la UAB per curs acadèmic 2016-2017La presente tesis tiene como objetivo evaluar el potencial de nuevos tratamientos probióticos en lechones recién destetados para mejorar la salud intestinal y combatir patógenos, indagando en posibles mecanismos de acción. Secundariamente, la tesis persigue el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas sensibles para evaluar la respuesta de los animales a los probióticos bajo modelos experimentales. Para lograr los objetivos, se diseñaron cuatro pruebas. En las pruebas 1 y 2, se evaluó el potencial de la cepa probiótica Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Infantis CECT 7210 en lechones destetados frente a un desafío oral con Salmonella Typhimurium y ETEC K88 respectivamente. La prueba 3 evaluó la respuesta de la combinación de la cepa anterior con Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BPL6 en un desafío de Salmonella Typhimurium. Finalmente, la prueba 4 evaluó el probiótico Bacillus licheniformis CECT 4536 en un desafío con Salmonella Typhimurium. Se utilizó un protocolo similar en todas las pruebas. Brevemente, 72 lechones recién destetados fueron transportados a las instalaciones de la universidad. Para las pruebas 1-3, los animales se distribuyeron en 24 corrales en un diseño factorial 2x2; tratados o no con el probiótico y desafiados o no con el patógeno. En la prueba 4, se evaluaron dos tratamientos, el probiótico y el butirato sódico; con 6 lechones adicionales usados como control negativo del desafío. Después de un período de adaptación, los animales fueron desafiados oralmente con el patógeno correspondiente y un animal por corral fue sacrificado los días 4 y 8/9 post-inoculación (PI). En todos los experimentos se evaluó el rendimiento productivo, signos clínicos, excreción de patógenos, perfil de fermentación, respuesta inmune y morfología intestinal. Además, en la prueba 3 se analizó un panel de biomarcadores sanguíneos y en la prueba 4 se realizó un análisis sistemático del comportamiento. La cepa probiótica Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Infantis CECT 7210 aumentó los linfocitos intraepiteliales, redujo la excreción de Salmonella (prueba 1) y la colonización de coliformes en el íleon (prueba 2). En animales no desafiados aumentó el ácido butírico y la ratio vellosidad:cripta los días 8/9 PI. Los efectos sobre el consumo de alimento, la fermentación microbiana y la arquitectura intestinal mostraron un patrón diferente entre animales desafiados y no desafiados. Cuando la cepa anterior se combinó con Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BPL6 los efectos beneficiosos del probiótico fueron observados en ambos grupos, desafiados y no desafiados; aumentando la ingesta voluntaria de alimento, disminuyendo la consistencia fecal del periodo PI, mejorando los perfiles de fermentación a día 8 PI, estimulando la respuesta inmune intestinal con un aumento de los linfocitos intraepiteliales y mejorando la relación vellosidad:cripta. La combinación probiótica también redujo la excreción fecal de Salmonella y disminuyó la temperatura rectal a niveles similares a los animales no desafiados 48 horas PI. Respecto a los biomarcadores sanguíneos, los micro-minerales fueron útiles para describir el rendimiento de los cerdos. Los electrolitos y los índices de bases ácidas permitieron detectar los animales más afectados. Finalmente, los parámetros bioquímicos fueron buenos descriptores del estado de salud. En la prueba 4, el probiótico Bacillus licheniformis CECT 4536 redujo la excreción de Salmonella. No se observaron efectos significativos del probiótico en el resto de parámetros evaluados. Sin embargo, se observó un efecto positivo del probiótico en el comportamiento, particularmente en relación a la exploración, alimentación y otros comportamientos activos durante el período de la mañana. Los resultados de esta tesis indican que los probióticos pueden ser una forma de mejorar la adaptación de los lechones al destete y a la presión de patógenos. Además, demuestran que el análisis de parámetros sanguíneos y comportamiento pueden ser herramientas sensibles a considerar en la investigación de aditivos alimentarios.The main objective of the Thesis was to evaluate the potential of new probiotics treatments in weanling pigs to enhance gut health at early life stages and to fight intestinal pathogens, giving insights regarding possible modes of action. Secondarily, the Thesis also pursued the development of new sensible tools to evaluate the response of the animals to probiotics under experimental models. To achieve the objectives, four trials were designed. In Trial 1 and Trial 2, the potential of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Infantis CECT 7210 was evaluated in weanling piglets in front of a Salmonella Typhimurium and an ETEC K88 oral challenge respectively. Trial 3 evaluated the response of the combination of the previous strain with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BPL6 in a Salmonella Typhimurium challenge. Finally, in Trial 4 the probiotic Bacillus licheniformis CECT 4536 was assessed in piglets experimentally challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium. A similar protocol was used in all Trials. In brief, 72 weanling piglets were transported to the university facilities from commercial farms. For Trials 1-3 animals were distributed in 24 pens in a 2 x 2 factorial design; treated or not with the probiotic and challenged or not with the pathogen. In Trial 4, two treatments were evaluated in the same facility, the probiotic and sodium butyrate; with 6 extra piglets used as a challenge negative control. After an adaptation period, animals were orally challenged with the corresponding pathogen and one animal per pen was euthanized at Day 4 and 8/9 post-inoculation (PI). For all experiments, main parameters assessed were animal performance, clinical signs, pathogen excretion, fermentation profile, immune response and intestinal morphology. Moreover, in Trial 3 a panel of blood biomarkers was analyzed and in Trial 4 a systematic behavior analysis was performed. The probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Infantis CECT 7210 increased intraepithelial lymphocytes and reduced Salmonella shedding (Trial 1) and ileum coliform colonization (Trial 2). In non-challenged animals it increased butyric acid and the villus:crypt ratio at Days 8/9 PI. Effects on feed intake, microbial fermentation and intestinal architecture showed a differential pattern between challenged and non-challenged animals. When the previous strain was combined with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BPL6, the beneficial effects of the probiotics were seen in both groups, challenged and non-challenged; increasing voluntary feed intake, decreasing diarrhea scores of the PI period, improving fermentation profiles at Day 8 PI, stimulating intestinal immune response by increasing intraepithelial lymphocytes and improving villus:crypt ratio. The probiotic combination also reduced fecal excretion of Salmonella and decreased rectal temperature to similar levels to non-challenged animals 48 hours PI. Regarding the blood biomarkers tested, micro-minerals zinc and cupper were useful descriptors of pig performance. Blood electrolytes (sodium, chloride and potassium) and acid base indexes (bicarbonate, total carbon dioxide and base excess in the extracellular fluid compartment) enabled to detect the most distressed animals. Finally, biochemical parameters assessed (glucose, hematocrit and hemoglobin) were good descriptors of health status. In Trial 4, the probiotic Bacillus licheniformis CECT 4536 reduced shedding of Salmonella. No significant effects of the probiotic were seen for performance, rectal temperature, fecal consistency, fermentation profile, inflammatory response and histological parameters. However, a positive effect of the probiotic on behavioral displays was observed. Particularly exploring, feeding and other active behaviors in the morning period. The results exposed in this thesis have highlighted that the use of probiotics may be a way to improve response of piglets to early weaning and pathogen pressure. Furthermore, the Thesis demonstrated that the analysis of blood parameters and behavior can be sensible tools to be considered in feed additive research

Evaluation of the Probiotic Strain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Infantis CECT 7210 Capacities to Improve Health Status and Fight Digestive Pathogens in a Piglet Model

Probiotics have been demonstrated to be useful to enhance gut health and prevent gastrointestinal infections. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the potential of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 (B. infantis IM1) to prevent and fight intestinal disease by using a Salmonella Typhimurium (Trial 1) or an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (Trial 2) oral challenge in a weaning piglet model. Seventy-two piglets were used in each trial. After an adaptation period, animals were orally challenged. One animal per pen was euthanized at Days 4 and 8/9 (Trial 1/Trial 2) post-inoculation (PI). Animal performance, clinical signs, pathogen excretion, fermentation, immune response and intestinal morphology were evaluated. In Trial 1, most parameters responded to the challenge, whereas, in Trial 2, effects were much milder. Consistent effects of the probiotic were detected in both experiments: reduction of pathogen excretion (P = 0.043 on Day 3 PI, Trial 1) or ileal colonization (33% reduction of animals with countable coliforms; P = 0.077, Trial 2); increases in intraepithelial lymphocytes (P = 0.002 on Day 8 PI in Trial 1, P = 0.091 on Day 4 PI in Trial 2), and improvement of the fermentation profile by increasing butyric acid in non-challenged animals (P challenge x probiotic (interaction) = 0.092 in Trial 1 and P = 0.056 in Trial 2) concomitant with an enhancement of the villus:crypt ratio on Day 8/9 PI (P interaction = 0.091 for Trial 1 and P = 0.006 for Trial 2). Challenged animals treated with the probiotic showed reduced feed intakes (P interaction = 0.019 in Trial 1 and P = 0.020 in Trial 2) and had lower short-chain fatty acid concentrations in the colon (P interaction = 0.008 in Trial 1 and P = 0.082 in Trial 2). In conclusion, this probiotic demonstrated potential to reduce the intestinal colonization by pathogens and to stimulate local immune response. However, effects on feed intake, microbial fermentation and intestinal architecture showed a differential pattern between challenged and non-challenged animals. Effects of the probiotic intervention were dependent on the structure of the ecosystem in which it was applied

Evaluation of the Probiotic Strain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Infantis CECT 7210 Capacities to Improve Health Status and Fight Digestive Pathogens in a Piglet Model

Probiotics have been demonstrated to be useful to enhance gut health and prevent gastrointestinal infections. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the potential of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 (B. infantis IM1) to prevent and fight intestinal disease by using a Salmonella Typhimurium (Trial 1) or an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (Trial 2) oral challenge in a weaning piglet model. Seventy-two piglets were used in each trial. After an adaptation period, animals were orally challenged. One animal per pen was euthanized at Days 4 and 8/9 (Trial 1/Trial 2) post-inoculation (PI). Animal performance, clinical signs, pathogen excretion, fermentation, immune response, and intestinal morphology were evaluated. In Trial 1, most parameters responded to the challenge, whereas, in Trial 2, effects were much milder. Consistent effects of the probiotic were detected in both experiments: Reduction of pathogen excretion (P = 0.043 on Day 3 PI, Trial 1) or ileal colonization (33% reduction of animals with countable coliforms; P = 0.077, Trial 2); increases in intraepithelial lymphocytes (P = 0.002 on Day 8 PI in Trial 1, P = 0.091 on Day 4 PI in Trial 2), and improvement of the fermentation profile by increasing butyric acid in non-challenged animals [P challenge × probiotic (interaction) = 0.092 in Trial 1 and P = 0.056 in Trial 2] concomitant with an enhancement of the villus:crypt ratio on Day 8/9 PI (P interaction = 0.091 for Trial 1 and P = 0.006 for Trial 2). Challenged animals treated with the probiotic showed reduced feed intakes (P interaction = 0.019 in Trial 1 and P = 0.020 in Trial 2) and had lower short-chain fatty acid concentrations in the colon (P interaction = 0.008 in Trial 1 and P = 0.082 in Trial 2). In conclusion, this probiotic demonstrated potential to reduce the intestinal colonization by pathogens and to stimulate local immune response. However, effects on feed intake, microbial fermentation, and intestinal architecture showed a differential pattern between challenged and non-challenged animals. Effects of the probiotic intervention were dependent on the structure of the ecosystem in which it was applied

The Probiotic Combination of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BPL6 Reduces Pathogen Loads and Improves Gut Health of Weaned Piglets Orally Challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium

Probiotics have been demonstrated to be useful to enhance gut health and prevent gastrointestinal infections in humans. Additionally, some multi-strain probiotic combinations have been suggested to have greater efficacy than single strains. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the potential of a combination of the probiotic strains: Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 (brand name B. infantis IM1®) and B. animalis subsp. lactis BPL6 to enhance gut health and to ameliorate the outcome of a Salmonella challenge using a weaning piglet model. Seventy-two 28-day-old weanling piglets, 7.7 (±0.28) kg of body-weight, were distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial design; treated or not with the probiotic combination and challenged or not with the pathogen. Animals were orally challenged after an adaptation period (Day 8) with a single dose (5 × 108 cfu) of Salmonella Typhimurium. One animal per pen was euthanized on Day 12 (Day 4 post-inoculation [PI]) and Day 16 (Day 8 PI). All parameters responded to the challenge and 4 deaths were registered, indicating a severe but self-limiting challenge. Improvements registered in the challenged animals due to the probiotic were: increased voluntary feed-intake (P probiotic × challenge = 0.078), reduced fecal excretion of Salmonella (P = 0.028 at Day 1 PI and P &lt; 0.10 at Days 3 and 5 PI), decreased rectal temperature (P probiotic × day = 0.048) and improvements in the villous:crypt ratio (P probiotic × challenge &lt; 0.001). Moreover, general probiotic benefits were observed in both challenged and non-challenged groups: decreased diarrhea scores of the PI period (P = 0.014), improved fermentation profiles on Day 8 PI (increased ileal acetic acid [P = 0.008] and a tendency to lower colonic ammonia concentrations [P = 0.078]), stimulation of intestinal immune response by increasing villous intraepithelial lymphocytes (P = 0.015 on Day 8 PI) and an improved villous:crypt ratio (P = 0.011). In conclusion, the multi-strain probiotic had a positive effect on reducing pathogen loads and alleviating animals in a Salmonella challenge. In addition, enhanced gut health and immunity was recorded in all animals receiving the probiotic, indicating an improvement in the post-weaning outcome

Change in blood parameters in pigs orally challenged or not with <i>Salmonella</i> and receiving a probiotic mixture or not.

<p>Change in blood parameters in pigs orally challenged or not with <i>Salmonella</i> and receiving a probiotic mixture or not.</p