Efficacy of the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 in diarrhoea prevention in newborn foals

The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 for the prevention of neonatal diarrhea in one to three day-old foals. Fecal samples from twenty foals divided randomly in experimental and control groups were studied. The experimental group (n=10) received E. faecalis CECT7121 (1 x 1010 CFU/ml) orally in the first day of life and for a 6 days period. The control group (n=10) received distilled water for the same period. In 4/10 of the foals from the control group diarrhea was observed, conversely diarrhea cases were not observed in any of the foals belonging to the experimental group. The differences between groups were statistically significant (p<0.001). E. faecalis CECT7121 was isolated in faeces from the second day of treatment until six days after the end of the probiotic administration. Therefore, E. faecalis CECT 7121 may be considered as a biological tool for the prevention of neonatal diarrhea in foals. Any adverse effects, at least under the conditions of this assay, but more efficacy studies should be performed to evaluate this organism in the prevention or treatment of diseases in foals.

Efficacy of the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 in diarrhoea prevention in newborn foals

The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 for the prevention of neonatal diarrhea in one to three day-old foals. Fecal samples from twenty foals divided randomly in experimental and control groups were studied. The experimental group (n=10) received E. faecalis CECT7121 (1 x 1010 CFU/ml) orally in the first day of life and for a 6 days period. The control group (n=10) received distilled water for the same period. In 4/10 of the foals from the control group diarrhea was observed, conversely diarrhea cases were not observed in any of the foals belonging to the experimental group. The differences between groups were statistically significant (p<0.001). E. faecalis CECT7121 was isolated in faeces from the second day of treatment until six days after the end of the probiotic administration. Therefore, E. faecalis CECT 7121 may be considered as a biological tool for the prevention of neonatal diarrhea in foals. Any adverse effects, at least under the conditions of this assay, but more efficacy studies should be performed to evaluate this organism in the prevention or treatment of diseases in foals.El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la eficacia del probiótico Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 en la prevención de la diarrea neonatal en potrillos de uno a tres días de edad. Se estudiaron muestras de materia fecal de veinte potrillos divididas al azar en grupos experimental y control. Los animales del grupo experimental (n=10) recibieron E. faecalis CECT7121 (1 x 1010 UFC/ml) por vía oral en el primer día de vida y por un período de 6 días. El grupo control (n=10) recibió agua destilada por el mismo período. Se observó que el 40% de los potrillos del grupo control presentaron diarrea, mientras que no se observaron casos de diarrea en ninguno de los potrillos pertenecientes al grupo experimental. Las diferencias entre los grupos fueron estadísticamente significativas (p<0,001). E. faecalis CECT7121 se aisló en heces desde el segundo día de tratamiento hasta seis días después del final de la administración del probiótico. Por lo tanto este hallazgo indicaría que E. faecalis CECT7121 podría ser considerado como una herramienta biológica para la prevención de la diarrea neonatal en potrillos sin ningún efecto adverso, al menos bajo las condiciones del presente ensayo, aunque más estudios de eficacia se deberían realizar para evaluar este organismo en la prevención o el tratamiento de enfermedades de los potrillos en los haras