Evaluation of large-intestinal parameters associated with dietary treatments designed to reduce the occurrence of swine dysentery

Abstract

Diets containing soluble NSP (sNSP) and resistant starch (RS) increase hindgut fermentation in pigs, which in turn increases the incidence of swine dysentery (SD) after infection with the intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. In the present study pigs were fed diets based on either wheat or sorghum, fed either raw or treated by extrusion, and/or with the addition of dietary enzymes to reduce RS and/or sNSP content. The aim was to determine the effects of these treatments on pig performance, large intestinal fermentation and expression of SD. Weaned pigs (n 132) were fed experimental diets for 4 weeks, when half the pigs in each treatment group were euthanased and samples collected to assess the influence of the diet on hindgut fermentation. The remaining pigs then were infected with B. hyodysenteriae, and monitored for development of SD. In general, compared with pigs fed raw wheat, fermentation in all parts of the large intestine was reduced either by feeding raw sorghum-based diets, or by feeding diets that were extruded. The addition of enzymes that degrade RS or sNSP reduced fermentation only in the distal parts of the large intestine. The incidence of SD was lower in pigs fed sorghum-based diets, and some of the extruded diets, but none of the dietary treatments offered full protection against SD. Multiple regression analysis of the results from all three experiments showed that colonisation by spirochaetes was highly related to dietary sNSP concentrations, whilst development of SD was similarly influenced by RS content of the diet.

Impact ofBrachyspira hyodysenteriaeon intestinal amino acid digestibility and endogenous amino acid losses in pigs1

“…Although microbial richness and diversity are reduced in pigs that develop clinical SD (Burrough et al, 2017), bacterial metabolism may be accelerated based on increased volatile fatty acid production (Siba et al, 1996). This increase in volatile fatty acid production and ATP in the hindgut correlated to increased clinical presentation of SD (Siba et al, 1996;Durmic et al, 2002) which likely contributes to the increased appearance of energy in the hindgut. Energy utilization by the hindgut can contribute to maintenance energy and improve feed efficiency (Dierick et al, 1990); however, an increased loss of energy in the hindgut of Bhyo+ pigs could suggest an increased energy demand for the pigs.…”

“…It is generally agreed that limiting fermentation in the hindgut reduces Bhyo colonization and SD expression (Siba et al, 1996;Pluske et al, 1998;Wilberts et al, 2014a); however, there is disagreement as to which types of fiber have the greatest impact with studies showing soluble fiber sources may increase disease (Pluske et al, 1998), soluble fiber sources such as inulin can decrease disease (Hansen et al, 2010;Hansen et al, 2011), and insoluble fibers sources such as lignins can increase SD expression (Wilberts et al, 2014a). Additionally, Durmic et al (2000), Kirkwood et al (2000), and Durmic et al (2002) were unable to demonstrate the protective effect of reducing soluble non-starch polysaccharides or resistant starch content of the diets suggesting the dietary effect is likely multifactorial. Although a cornstarch-based NFD is non-physiological and not commercially relevant, it further supports the notion that highly digestible and poorly fermentable diets are beneficial for resolution of Bhyo infection as the NFD contained minimal lignin or cellulose.…”

First molecular detection of Brachyspira suanatina on pig farms in Poland

“…Scientific reports describing its significance in disease development are infrequent and focused on experimental exposure only ( 29 ); neither the specific dose required in natural infection nor factors affecting its manifestation have been defined hitherto. With little knowledge of the disease course of B. suanatina infection contained in the literature and no determinants proved or disproved, it could be contended that some environmental and/or nutritional factors could have affected the clinical presentation, as this has already been described in B. hyodysenteriae infection ( 9 , 11 , 17 , 28 , 33 ). In a similar way, it might also be attributed to either the concurrence of infections with atypical strains or to abstruse interactions with other bacteria, both typical of Brachyspira spp.…”

“…Once ingested, the bacterial agent of SD survives in the highly acidic gastric environment, passes through the small intestine, and eventually colonises the colonic and caecal crypts, which results in the development of mucohaemorrhagic colitis ( 11 ). The clinical manifestation of SD varies from moderate mucoid to bloody diarrhoea depending on the virulence of the isolate ( 36 ), the composition of the offered diet ( 9 , 33 ), and environmental conditions in the wide sense ( 11 ).…”

Effect of soy on faecal dry matter content and excretion of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in pigs

“…A procedure leading to constant or elevated shedding of B hyodysenteriae in porcine faeces would be of great advantage generally and in cases of subclinical SD in particular. Feed has been identified as a risk factor for infecting pigs with B hyodysenteriae ( Leser and others 2000 , Durmic and others 2002 , Jacobson and others 2004b ) . Soybean meal is a common source of protein for pigs and is used in different proportions in the various age groups.…”