Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a marine-derived bacillus strain for use as an in-feed probiotic for newly weaned pigs

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Date
2014
Authors
Prieto, Maria Luz
O'Sullivan, Laurie
Tan, Shiau Pin
McLoughlin, Peter
Hughes, Helen
O'Donovan, Orla
Rea, Mary C.
Kent, Robert M.
Cassidy, Joseph P.
Gardiner, Gillian E.
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Public Library of Science
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Abstract
Forty eight individual pigs (8.7 ± 0.26 kg) weaned at 28 ± 1 d of age were used in a 22-d study to evaluate the effect of oral administration of a Bacillus pumilus spore suspension on growth performance and health indicators. Treatments (n = 16) were: (1) non-medicated diet; (2) medicated diet with apramycin (200 mg/kg) and pharmacological levels of zinc oxide (2,500 mg zinc/kg) and (3) B. pumilus diet (non-medicated diet + 10(10) spores/day B. pumilus). Final body weight and average daily gain tended to be lower (P = 0.07) and feed conversion ratio was worsened (P<0.05) for the medicated treatment compared to the B. pumilus treatment. Ileal E. coli counts were lower for the B. pumilus and medicated treatments compared to the non-medicated treatment (P<0.05), perhaps as a result of increased ileal propionic acid concentrations (P<0.001). However, the medicated treatment reduced fecal (P<0.001) and cecal (P<0.05) Lactobacillus counts and tended to reduce the total cecal short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration (P = 0.10). Liver weights were lighter and concentrations of liver enzymes higher (P<0.05) in pigs on the medicated treatment compared to those on the non-medicated or B. pumilus treatments. Pigs on the B. pumilus treatment had lower overall lymphocyte and higher granulocyte percentages (P<0.001) and higher numbers of jejunal goblet cells (P<0.01) than pigs on either of the other two treatments or the non-medicated treatment, respectively. However, histopathological examination of the small intestine, kidneys and liver revealed no abnormalities. Overall, the B. pumilus treatment decreased ileal E. coli counts in a manner similar to the medicated treatment but without the adverse effects on growth performance, Lactobacillus counts, cecal SCFA concentration and possible liver toxicity experienced with the medicated treatment.
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Keywords
Cereus var. toyoi , Dietary zinc oxide , Escherichia coli , Piglets , Diarrhea , Bacteria , Growth , Acid , Combination , Performance
Citation
Prieto ML, O'Sullivan L, Tan SP, McLoughlin P, Hughes H, O'Donovan O, et al. (2014) Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Marine-Derived Bacillus Strain for Use as an In-Feed Probiotic for Newly Weaned Pigs. PLoS ONE 9(2): e88599. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0088599