S. VANCAENEGHEM, Y. VAN DER STEDE, T. VERFALLIE, E. COX, B.M. GODDEERIS, S. ARNAUTS

Effect of oligosaccharide supplementation in feed on ETEC infection

Postweaning diarrhoea (PWD) in pigs is caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), and is one of the major problems after weanin in many piggeries. At this moment, no vaccines are available for PWD and the piglets are treated with antibiotics when an ETEC infection appears. Oligosaccharides are known immunostimulants that activate the innate immune system, namely macrophages and neutrophils. Macrophages will be activated to produce inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen radicals (O₂, H₂O₂, OH^-). Oligosaccharides induce an increased number of neutrophils in the blood circulation, an increased fagocytose and an increased oxidative burst. So, oligosaccharides are alarmmolecules that enhance the defence barriers of the animals and thus providing protection against otherwise severe or lethal infections.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether 6 particulate oligosaccharides, that are different in their origin and/or extractionprocedure, could protect piglets against an oral infection with F4⁺ ETEC.

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