Feed additives for the control of post-weaning Streptococcus suis disease and the effect on the faecal and nasal microbiota

Abstract

Medicated feed is a common strategy to control the occurrence of Streptococcus suis disease in swine production, but feed additives may constitute an alternative to metaphylaxis. In a farm with post-weaning S. suis disease, the following additives were tested: lysozyme (Lys), medium chain fatty acids plus lysozyme (FA + Lys), FA plus a natural anti-inflammatory (FA + antiinf) and amoxicillin (Amox). During the course of the study, FA + antiinf and Amox groups showed lower prevalence of clinical signs compatible with S. suis disease than the rest of the groups. Piglets from the FA + antiinf group showed high diversity and richness in their nasal and faecal microbiota. Diet supplements did not have major effects on the faecal microbiota, where the genus Mitsuokella was the only differentially present in the FA + Lys group. In the nasal microbiota, piglets from FA + antiinf presented higher differential abundance of a sequence variant from Ruminococcaceae and lower abundance of an unclassified genus from Weeksellaceae. In general, we detected more significant changes in the nasal than in the feacal microbiota, and found that parity of the dams affected the microbiota composition of their offspring, with piglets born to gilts exhibiting lower richness and diversity. Our results suggest that additives could be useful to control post-weaning disease when removing antimicrobials in farms.

Changes in the Nasal Microbiota of Pigs Following Single or Co-Infection with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and Swine Influenza A Viruses

“…A high level of bacterial diversity and richness has been associated with healthy pig cohorts and the removal of antibiotic use [ 12 , 24 , 25 ]. The bacterial richness and microbiota composition in the nasal cavity fluctuated over the time without any treatment.…”

“…Ruminococcaceae were increased in the H3N2 animals at 0 and 3 dpi and increased in the PRRSV-2 group at 5 dpi. The increase in abundance of Ruminococcaceae has previously been reported to be associated with the treatment of Streptococcus suis with fatty acids and a natural anti-inflammatory component [ 12 ]. Therefore, the increase in abundance of Ruminococceae may be linked with the anti-inflammatory response that occurs during bacterial or viral infections.…”

“…This approach was previously employed to understand how the nasal microbiota develops in the early life of pigs, with the bacterial populations stabilizing around three weeks of age [ 10 ]. It has also been used to elucidate changes in the porcine respiratory microbiota linked with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage [ 11 ], food supplementation used to control the occurrence of Streptococcus suis associated disease [ 12 ] and on farms that had recurring Mycoplasma hyorhinis infections [ 13 ].…”

Stochastic Assessment of the Economic Impact of Streptococcus suis-Associated Disease in German, Dutch and Spanish Swine Farms

“…In the absence of such tools, good biosecurity, plus management practices (e.g., all-in/all-out, groups with similar ages, improvement of ventilation, or avoiding overcrowding) are key for the control of S. suis ( 9 ). Also ( 44 ) suggest that some feed additives could be useful to help reduce the impact of S. suis -associated disease.…”

Using Nutritional Strategies to Shape the Gastro-Intestinal Tracts of Suckling and Weaned Piglets

“…Overeating should also be avoided during the maturation phase, as it could increase the risk of pathogenic bacterial infections (e.g., S. suis) [69]. As reported by Correa-Fiz et al [218], supplementation of post-weaning diets with MCFA and a supplement containing MCFA and natural plant extracts (with anti-inflammatory properties) reduced clinical signs (e.g., meningitis) associated with S. suis on Day 43 postweaning. Considering that most S. suis infections occur around 3 weeks post-weaning, it might be beneficial to supply MCFA for its antibacterial effects, in addition to supplying long-chain fatty acids (e.g., vegetable oils) as energy sources.…”