Evaluation of a zinc chelate on clinical swine dysentery under field conditions

Abstract

Background: Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is the primary cause of swine dysentery, characterized by bloody to mucoid diarrhea due to mucohaemorhagic colitis in pigs and primarily affects pigs during the grow/finishing stage. Control and prevention of B. hyodysenteriae consists of administration of antimicrobial drugs, besides management and adapted feeding strategies. A worldwide re-emergence of the disease has recently been reported with an increasing number of isolates demonstrating decreased susceptibility to several crucially important antimicrobials in the control of swine dysentery. A novel non-antibiotic zinc chelate has been reported to demonstrate positive effects on fecal quality and consistency, general clinical signs, average daily weight gain and B. hyodysenteriae excretion during and after a 6-day oral treatment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the zinc chelate (Intra Dysovinol ® 499 mg/ml (ID); Elanco) on naturally occurring swine dysentery due to B. hyodysenteriae under field conditions in the Netherlands. Results: Oral administration of zinc chelate resulted in improvement of general clinical signs from 3 days onwards in the ID-treated group combined with a significantly better total fecal score at 14 days post-treatment. Overall, average daily weight gain was better in the ID-treated group over the entire study period (0-14 days) and during the 8 days following the end of ID-treatment. A significant reduction (4.48 vs. 0.63 log 10 cfu/g feces; ID-treated vs. control) in B. hyodysenteriae excretion was observed during the 6-day treatment period with a high percentage of animals (58.3 vs. 12.3%; ID-treated vs. control) with no excretion of B. hyodysenteriae from their feces. No additional antimicrobial treatment was needed in the ID-treated group, whereas 35% of the pigs in the control group were treated with an antibiotic at least once. No mortality occurred in both groups. No adverse events were reported during and following the ID-treatment. Conclusions: Zinc chelateadministered as a Zn-Na 2-EDTA complexis a non-antibiotic treatment for swine dysentery that reduces B. hyodysenteriae shedding with 4.48 log 10 cfu/g feces within its 6-day treatment while improving general clinical signs (90.0 vs. 73.6% animals with normal score) and total fecal score within 2-4 days following administration in naturally infected pigs. The positive effects of ID treatment remain for at least 8 days after cessation of oral ID therapy. Pigs remaining in a highly contaminated environment may be re-infected following the end of ID treatment, however, this is not different to standard antimicrobial therapy. Therefore, control of swine dysentery should combine an efficacious treatment with additional management practices to reduce the environmental infection pressure in order to limit re-infection as much as possible. The ID treatment resulted in a higher growth rate and improved general health, whereas no mortality was observed and no additional therapeutic treatments were necessary in contrast to the c...

Recent Advances in Understanding the Influence of Zinc, Copper, and Manganese on the Gastrointestinal Environment of Pigs and Poultry

“…Moreover, Zn ions have been found to inhibit Brachyspira hyodysenteriae haemolysin biosynthesis in vitro [ 29 ] and ZnO at 2000 mg/kg feed (or higher) had a prophylactic effect against B. hyodysenteriae in a swine dysentery model in mice [ 30 ]. Recently, a Zn chelate has been shown to be effective against B. hyodysenteriae in swine [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Effect of balanced mineral supplements on milk productivity of cows

“…Thus, in the available literature, there are reports of an increase in milk productivity [4][5][6] and milk quality [4; 6; 7] in cows, and an improvement in reproductive function in bulls [8]. In addition to milk productivity, there is also an improvement in the growth of calves [9], pigs [10][11][12], broiler chickens [13; 14] and rabbits [15] due to the use of chelated forms of trace elements in their feed. The reason for the growing interest of the scientific community in organic compounds is the high degree of their assimilation by the body, which provides animals with the necessary amount of trace elements and reduces the negative impact of their faeces and urine on the environment [3].…”

Influence of organic and non-organic microelements on productivity and metabolic processes in growing young pigs

“…Various premixes in the form of sulfates, carbonates, oxides, chelates have been actively used in the production of animal feed for farm animals. In search of new solutions in pig breeding, the use of chelate complexes is becoming more and more widespread (Vangroenweghe et al, 2020). At present, scientists and feed manufacturers are interested in the use of organic forms of compounds of iron, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium in feeds for farm animals in order to reduce the release of unexplored elements and increase their accumulation in the body (Mazo et al, 2007).…”

“…It is necessary for oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol metabolism, and also participates in amino acid metabolism, promotes pig growth and normal sexual development of young animals (Brown, Zeringue, 1994). Zinc participates in the process of breathing and has a positive effect on the activity of gonadotropic hormones of the pituitary gland, sex hormones and participate in the regulation of water, gas, nitrogen, carbohydrate, mineral and vitamin metabolism in animals (Vangroenweghe et al, 2020). Zinc deficiency in pigs leads to parakeratosis, symptoms of which are dermatitis, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, slow and intermittent growth.…”