088 Evaluation of medium-chain fatty acid salts or Enterococcus faecium in front of a Salmonella Typhimurium challenge in piglets

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sodium salts of distilled coconut fatty acids (DICOSAN; Norel S.A.) or Enterococcus faecium (FECINOR; Norel S.A.) against a Salmonella Typhimurium challenge in weanlings. A total of 72 4-wk-old piglets (8.1 ± 1.34 kg) were distributed into 24 pens and 3 experimental groups: plain diet (CTR) or the same diet supplemented with DICOSAN (DIC; 0.3%; minimum content of lauric acid 37%) or FECINOR (FEC; 0.1% equivalent to 106 cfu/g), all offered ad libitum. Intake and live weight were monitored along 15 d. After 1 wk adaptation, animals were orally challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium (108 cfu), and rectal temperature and fecal consistency were evaluated afterward. Fecal samples for Salmonella analysis were taken at d 0 and 7 before inoculation and on 1, 3, and 7 post-inoculation (PI). On d 4 and 8 PI, one animal per pen was euthanized and cecal content sampled to evaluate Salmonella counts. Performance, microbiological parameters and lme4 package for fecal consistency and rectal temperature were analyzed using R statistical analysis software. All of the animals showed Salmonella in feces 24 h PI and fever 48 h PI. No significant differences were seen on performance although ADG were numerically higher in the FEC fed animals at 4 to 8 d PI (326, 316, and 400 g/d for CTR, DIC, and FEC; P = 0.57). FEC treatment also improved numerically fecal consistency especially at d 2 PI when differences reached statistical trend (P = 0.10). Regarding microbial counts, no significant differences were seen in fecal but in cecal samples between treatments. The use of DIC resulted in a trend to diminish Salmonella counts at d 8 PI (P = 0.06) compared to CTR and FEC, effectively reducing (P = 0.04) the number of animals (3/8 vs. 7/8 animals) with countable bacteria ( > 103 cfu/g). Results suggest a more general effect of the probiotic on the animal response to the challenge and a more specific antibacterial effect of medium-chain fatty acid salts in the intestinal lumen that could help to control the overgrowth of Salmonella. More studies are required to better characterize the mechanisms of action of both additives.