Inclusion of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum B2984 in the diet of piglets

Since the ban of the use of antibiotic growth promoters in pig production in EU, and the emergence of antibiotic resistance has meant there is a pressing need for alternative control strategies for pathogenic bacteria such as S. Typhimurium in pigs. Possible strategies include vaccination and the use of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics. In this study, were evaluated the effects of prebiotic, probiotic and synbiotic diet regimes on antibody responses to oral Salmonella challenge of pigs. Twenty-four Large White x Landrace piglets with initial weight of 7.98 ± 0.7 kg were were randomly divided into four groups. One group (PRE) was fed the prebiotic lactulose at 1% (w/w) of the feed on a daily basis mixed into the feed. A further group (PRO) was fed probiotic L. plantarum B2984 (resuspended in 0.1 M pH 7.2 PBS) which was diluted in sterile water and mixed with 150 g of feed for each pig to receive 1 x 10¹⁰cfu/pig/day. A third group (SYN) was treated with both the prebiotic and probiotic and a final control group (CTR) had no prebiotic or probiotic treatment. The data demonstrate that group PRO enhanced serum IgM (P<0.001), IgG (P=0.001) and IgA (P=0.039) responses to S. Typhimurium infection including cross-reacting antibodies to S. Enteritidis. Similarly, group PRE enhanced serum IgM (P=0.010), IgG (P=0.004) and IgA (P=0.046) responses to S. Typhimurium infection and also cross-reacting antibodies to S. Enteritidis. Group SYN also elicited an enhanced immune response with IgM (P=0.009) and IgG (P=0.046) levels being increased, however a significant interaction of the pre and probiotics was observed when considering the immune responses to S. Typhimurium (IgM P=0.004; IgG and IgA, P<0.001 for interaction). With respect to immune responses, the effects of pre or probiotic administration were the same or reduced in the synbiotic diet compared to when used in isolation.

In conclusion, the use of Lactobacillus plantarum B2984 or lactulose are strategies to contribute to the protection of weaned piglets from zoonotic bacterial pathogens.

Naqid, I.A., Owen, J.P., Maddison, B.C., Gardner, D.S., Foster, N., Tchórzewska, M. A., La Ragione, R.M. and Gough, K.C. 2015. Prebiotic and probiotic agents enhance antibody-based immune responses to Salmonella Typhimurium infection in pigs. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 201; 57-65. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2014.12.005