Feeding of Lactobacillus sobrius reduces Escherichia coli F4 levels in the gut and promotes growth of infected piglets

The microbial community in the guts of mammals is often seen as an important potential target in therapeutic and preventive interventions. The aim of the present study was to determine whether enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 (ETEC) infection in young animals might be counteracted by a probiotic treatment with Lactobacillus sobrius DSM 16698. The experiment was conducted in three randomised consecutive replications, each consisting of 16 piglets, and including a control group and a L. sobrius fed group, both experimentally challenged with ETEC. During the entire trial the animals’ health status, body weight, and microbial parameters were periodically monitored. Probiotic supplementation containing L. sobrius significantly reduced levels of ETEC in the ileum when fed directly to piglets after weaning. In contrast, piglets with an increased faecal water content increased significantly in the probiotic group. Nevertheless, an improved daily weight gain was also observed in the animals that received probiotic L. sobrius relative to the control fed group. The data indicate that L. sobrius may be effective in the reduction of the E. coli F4 colonization and improve the weight gain of infected piglets.