Bacterial probiotics as an aid in the control of Clostridium difficile disease in neonatal pigs

Although Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a common disease in swine, there is a lack of prevention strategies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate: i) the effectiveness of Lactobacillus spp. and ii) non-toxigenic C difficile (NTCD) as prevention for the development of CDI in piglets. Cesarean-derived piglets (N = 150) were randomly assigned to 6 groups: GROUP 1 negative control (n = 10); GROUP 2 NTCD only (n = 13); GROUP 3 Lactobacillus spp. only (n = 14); GROUP 4 positive control (challenged with toxigenic C. difficile strain) (n = 35); GROUP 5 NTCD and challenged with the toxigenic C. difficile strain (n = 34); and GROUP 6 Lactobacillus spp. and challenged with the toxigenic C. difficile strain (n = 44). Piglets which received NTCD showed lower prevalence of toxin-positive feces, mesocolonic edema, and microscopic lesions compared with positive control piglets. Administration of Lactobacillus spp. did not reveal clear benefits.