Evaluation of homeopathic treatment of Escherichia coli infected swine with indetification of virulence factors involved: Pilot study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic homeopathic treatment of swine diarrhea to achieve a satisfactory balance between weight gain and cost. Methods: Escherichia coli (E. coli) was isolated from 4 piglets with diarrhea, their clinical signs were used to select the adequate homeopathic medicine China officinalis (Chin). Newborn piglets were divided in 4 groups (n=11 or 12): control group treated with the routinely used antimicrobial agent (ceftiofur 4 mg 1 ml/piglet for 3 days); one group with homeopathic medicine Chin 30 cH; one group treated with biotherapy prepared from locally isolated E. coli; and one group was treated with association of Chin and biotherapy. All isolated samples of E. coli were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify virulence factors in each group. Results:There was no difference in the number of animals with diarrhea between groups treated with homeopathic medicine and control; weight gain was greater in groups treated with homeopathic medicine alone and associated with biotherapy compared to control (p

Homeopathic Products as a Complementary Dietary Additive for Pigs in their Growing and Finishing Phases

“…53 The growth performance of piglets with diarrhea was improved when treated with HP. 22 In piglets infected with E. coli, HP produced a lower incidence of diarrhea, as well as attenuation of its severity. 14 The housing density used in this study was 1.45 m 2 /pig, providing good environmental conditions for the animals.…”

“…53 The growth performance of piglets with diarrhea was improved when treated with HP. 22 In piglets infected with E. coli , HP produced a lower incidence of diarrhea, as well as attenuation of its severity. 14…”

“…20,21 When associated or not with biotherapy, they can reduce the number of animals with diarrhea and increase body weight gain. 22 Previously studies conducted with other species also reported that homeopathic combinations were able to improve carcass yield of poultry, 23 increase final body weight and carcass yield of steers, 24 improve growing, survival and immune function in juvenile scallops, 25 improve meat coloration, decrease stress and contribute to the welfare and quality of beef, 26 and exhibit higher polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid ratio than controls in Nile tilapia fish. 27 For the consumer, the quality of pork meat includes several attributes, such as nutritional value, composition and specific nutrients of the product.…”

“…20 21 When associated or not with biotherapy, they can reduce the number of animals with diarrhea and increase body weight gain. 22…”

Addition of homeopathic products to pig diets in the finishing phase promotes improvement in growth performance

“…Indeed, compared with antibiotics, HPs have been shown to improve performance and prevent diarrhoea in young pigs (Coelho et al, 2009;Kiefer et al, 2012). Moreover, they have been reported to reduce the number of animals with intestinal disorders, promote weight gain (Coelho et al, 2014), and improve the percentage and quality of meat and the marbling of the pig carcass. No effect on blood parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and plasma urea nitrogen concentrations has been reported (Lima, 2018).…”