Probiotic Treatment Reduces Salmonella Infection In Pigs

Salmonella spp. is one of the major causes of food-borne gastroenteritis worldwide, with an estimated 160,000 cases reported annually in the European Union alone. Probiotics, described as live microorganisms believed to promote a health benefit in the host when administered in controlled amounts, have emerged in recent years as an alternative method to counteract bacterial infections. Previous studies have focused largely on the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) group and many have shown beneficial effects in small animal models challenged with gastrointestinal infection.

In the study pigs were divided into two groups, one of which received milk containing five LAB probiotic strains and the other, serving as a control group, received regular milk for 30 days. Following 6 days of treatment the pigs were then challenged orally with Samonella enterica serovar Typhimurium after which their health and feces were monitored for 23 days. The pigs receiving probiotic treatment showed reduced incidence, severity, and duration of diarrhea as well as significantly lower numbers of Salmonella in fecal samples 15 days postinfection.

More of the latest Pig Industry News

•   High Contract Prices Take the Shine Off Spot
•   Weekly Review: Hogs & Pigs Report Brings Surprises
•   Producers to Found National Union of Hog Breeders
•   Supply to Continue to Exceed Demand for Live Pigs
•   NFUS Wary of Creation of Independent Defra Body
•   RSPCA Speaks Out Against Live Export Trade
•   Welfare Laws Fail Pigs Miserably
•   Getting Gilt Integration Right
•   Carbon Market Opportunities for Agriculture
•   Expansion of Food Borne Illness Monitoring Urged