Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) causes significant health problems in postweaned pigs causing economic loss. In the past, antimicrobials were key for controlling ETEC until the threat of antimicrobial resistance was globally realized. Postbiotics, which are the derivatives of probiotics, have demonstrated antimicrobial activities and are a potential alternative for controlling ETEC. In this study, we determined the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation products (LFP) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SFP) on ETEC-challenged pigs. The fecal microbiome was modified in ETEC-challenged pigs supplemented with the combination of LFP and SFP as evidenced by increased diversity and an increased abundance of Lactobacillaceae. No significant difference in fecal consistency scores or fecal F4-ETEC concentration in pigs supplemented with LFP and/or SFP was detected. Pigs receiving this combination of postbiotics also demonstrated an increased final liveweight.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.