title: Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a marine-derived Bacillus strain for use as an in-feed probiotic for newly weaned pigs.
abstract: Forty eight individual pigs (8.7±0.26 kg) weaned at 28±1 d of age were used in a 22-d study to evaluate the effect of oral administration of a Bacillus pumilus spore suspension on growth performance and health indicators. Treatments (n = 16) were: (1) non-medicated diet; (2) medicated diet with apramycin (200 mg/kg) and pharmacological levels of zinc oxide (2,500 mg zinc/kg) and (3) B. pumilus diet (non-medicated diet + 10(10) spores/day B. pumilus). Final body weight and average daily gain tended to be lower (P = 0.07) and feed conversion ratio was worsened (P<0.05) for the medicated treatment compared to the B. pumilus treatment. Ileal E. coli counts were lower for the B. pumilus and medicated treatments compared to the non-medicated treatment (P<0.05), perhaps as a result of increased ileal propionic acid concentrations (P<0.001). However, the medicated treatment reduced fecal (P<0.001) and cecal (P<0.05) Lactobacillus counts and tended to reduce the total cecal short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration (P = 0.10). Liver weights were lighter and concentrations of liver enzymes higher (P<0.05) in pigs on the medicated treatment compared to those on the non-medicated or B. pumilus treatments. Pigs on the B. pumilus treatment had lower overall lymphocyte and higher granulocyte percentages (P<0.001) and higher numbers of jejunal goblet cells (P<0.01) than pigs on either of the other two treatments or the non-medicated treatment, respectively. However, histopathological examination of the small intestine, kidneys and liver revealed no abnormalities. Overall, the B. pumilus treatment decreased ileal E. coli counts in a manner similar to the medicated treatment but without the adverse effects on growth performance, Lactobacillus counts, cecal SCFA concentration and possible liver toxicity experienced with the medicated treatment.
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Maria Luz
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Shiau Pin
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McLoughlin
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Orla
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: O'Donovan
authors.affiliation: Teagasc, Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland ; Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rea
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland ; Teagasc, Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cassidy
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Gillian E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Gardiner
authors.affiliation: Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Peadar G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Lawlor
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001407:Bacillus; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008386:Marine Biology; D009929:Organ Size; D019936:Probiotics; D013552:Swine; D014886:Weaning