title: Effect of administration of organic acids in drinking water on faecal shedding of E. coli, performance parameters and health in nursery pigs.
abstract: This study evaluated the effect of altering the pH of drinking water on the excretion of Escherichia coli (haemolytic and total count) by nursery piglets under field conditions as well as their performance parameters and health. The pH of the normal drinking water (pH 8) was lowered by using a mixture of organic acids (lactic, formic, propionic and acetic acid) to obtain a final pH of 6, 5 or 4. Reducing the pH to 4 resulted in the excretion of less faecal E. coli compared to pigs given water of pH 8 (P<0.05), but the fall in pH also significantly decreased water intake. The highest daily weight gain and lowest mortality rate were observed in the group receiving drinking water of pH 5 (P>0.05). No significant differences in the clinical parameters measured were seen between groups. The results of this study suggest that lowering the pH of the drinking water in newly weaned pigs reduces the E. coli load.
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium. emily.debusser@ugent.be
authors.forename: Emily V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: De Busser
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dewulf
authors.forename: Lieven De
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Zutter
authors.forename: Freddy
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haesebrouck
authors.forename: Jozefien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Callens
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meyns
authors.forename: Wout
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.forename: Dominiek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maes
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005561:Formates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011422:Propionates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005561:Formates; D011422:Propionates; C030544:formic acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C029658:propionic acid; D019342:Acetic Acid