Abstract
Pigs are hosts for Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Identifying an intervention that effectively reduces pathogens in commercial pigs before harvest is imperative. This study evaluated the probiotics BIOPLUS® 2B and Probicon L28 as direct-fed microbials to 1) reduce Salmonella and STEC in the lymph nodes and feces of commercial growing-finishing pigs, and 2) improve growth performance and carcass characteristics. Market pigs were fed a standard corn-soybean meal finishing diet according to the following treatments: Probicon L28 at 1.0×106 CFU/head/day (Probicon); BIOPLUS® 2B at 3.0×109 CFU/head/day (BIOPLUS® 2B); and a control (Control). Fecal samples, boot covers, and ropes were collected upon arrival (baseline), 6wk post-placement, and prior to loadout/13 wk post-placement. Superficial inguinal lymph nodes (SILNs) were collected at the abattoir. All samples were analyzed for Salmonella and STEC.Pen (~21-day intervals) and individual weights were used to assess growth performance. Carcasses were evaluated by hot carcass weight, loin depth, backfat, and percentage lean. Overall Salmonella and STEC O111 prevalence were very low in all sample types, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 was not detected. There was no evidence (P>0.05) that BIOPLUS® 2B and Probicon L28 impacted the prevalence of STEC (stx and eae genes) or STECserogroups O26, O121, O45, O103 and O145 in feces, boot covers, ropes, and SILNs of market pigs. No evidence of difference (P>0.10) between treatment was observed for overall average daily gain, average daily feed intake, gain:feed ratio, or any carcass traits. These data suggest that the probiotics used in this study had no impact on growth or carcass characteristics of finishing pigs, or prevalence of Salmonella and STEC in fecal samples or SILNs of market pigs.
