Non-toxigenic strain of Clostridioides difficile Z31 reduces the occurrence of C. difficile infection (CDI) in one-day-old piglets on a commercial pig farm

• Published in: Veterinary microbiology Vol. 231; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Oliveira Júnior, C.A., Silva, R.O.S., Lage, A.P., Coura, F.M., Ramos, C.P., Alfieri, A.A., Guedes, R.M.C., Lobato, F.C.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.04.2019; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Animals; Clostridium difficile; Clostridium perfringens; Diarrhea; Escherichia coli; Farms; Infections; Neonatal porcine diarrhea; Neonates; Probiotic; Rotavirus; Spores; Probiotic; Neonatal porcine diarrhea; Escherichia coli; Clostridium perfringens; Clostridium difficile
• ISSN: 0378-1135; 1873-2542
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.02.026

•The non-toxigenic strain of C. difficile Z31 reduced CDI in a commercial swine farm.•The fecal shedding of toxigenic C. difficile strains was reduced.•The strain Z31 diminished neonatal porcine diarrhea.•The strain Z31 should be a potential preventive product against CDI in piglets. Neonatal porcine diarrhea (NPD) is a current problem on pig farms and is caused by several enteropathogens. Among them, Clostridioides difficile stands out due to its importance in piglets and zoonotic potential. A non-toxigenic strain of C. difficile (NTCD), named Z31, was previously tested in hamster and piglet experimental models as a strategy to prevent C. difficile infection (CDI). To evaluate the capacity of the strain Z31 to prevent CDI and NPD in one-day-old piglets on a commercial farm, 90 piglets from 16 litters received 1 × 106 spores of Z31 while 84 animals from the same litters served as controls. Animals were clinically evaluated, and fecal samples were collected 24 h after administration and submitted to A/B toxin detection and isolation of C. difficile. Stool samples were also submitted to rotavirus, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens detection. Administration of Z31 reduced the incidence of CDI in treated animals (7.8%) when compared to the control group (25.0%; P = 0.003). In animals that developed CDI, the intensity of diarrhea was lower in those that received Z31 than in the control group. Neonatal porcine diarrhea was reduced in treated animals when compared to untreated animals (P < 0.001). The present study suggests that Z31 can potentially be used to prevent CDI in piglets on commercial farms.