Effect of probiotics and herbals on health and shedding of resistant escherichia coli in piglets

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotics, herbals and buckwheat bran (Fagopyrum esculentum L.) on growth, profile of blood, gut microbiota, profile of fatty acid in meat and shedding of resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in piglets. A total of 44 piglets (Sus scrofa domesticus) from age of day 14 to 56 were divided into 4 groups. Control received basal diet (group C), basal diet + probiotics (group P), basal diet + 3% buckwheat bran (group PB) and basal diet + 1.5% herbals (group H). No effect was observed in growth in all groups. The count of Lactobacillus spp. increased (p < 0.05) in jejunum in group P. In the faeces, Enterobacteriaceae decreased in the group P (p < 0.05) of 35 days old piglets, but Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli decreased in the group H (p < 0.05) of 56 days old piglets. The prevalence of resistance to at least one antibiotic class was 66.7% before and 50% after the experiment in all groups. Multidrug resistance of E. coli was not observed in 14 days old piglets, but was observed in 50% and more in all of study groups of 56 days old piglets. The fatty acid composition of Longissimus thoracis muscle had higher levels of α-linolenic acid and palmitoleic acid (p < 0.05), but lower level of stearic acid (p < 0.05) in group P. In conclusion, probiotics and herbals improved gut microbiota, fatty acid profile and affected shedding of resistant E. coli, but not growth performance.

Oregano essential oil showed limited effects on pigs' carcass quality and haematology whereas a transcriptome analysis revealed significant modulations in the jejunum and the ileum

“…Taken together, we chose several parameters as indicators for OEOs’ effects on pigs’ health. Gāliņa and Valdovska (2017) postulated, OEO exerts its effects only during pathological conditions. However, we did not challenge our animals with any stimulants to give insights on pigs’ reaction under conventional circumstances.…”

Probiotics and intestinal decolonization of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms; A reality or fantasy?

“…Based on existing assumptions, probiotics hinder the AROs intestinal carriage using various routes including 1) production of acids and toxins, 2) competitive adherence, 3) encouragement of a robust immune response, and 4) strengthening intestinal barriers, particularly a thickness mucosa production [ 9 ]. Probiotics have been proved to reduce intestinal colonization of drug-resistant bacteria in animal models [ 10 , 11 ]. However, there are conflicting results on the efficacy of probiotics regarding intestinal decolonization of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) in the present human randomized clinical trials (RCTs) [ 12 ].…”