Type: Chapter

Improving gut function in pigs to prevent dysbiosis and post-weaning diarrhoea

Authors

Charlotte Lauridsen

Aarhus University

Ole Højberg

Aarhus University

Nuria Canibe

Aarhus University

Publication date:

10 January 2022

ID: 9781801463706

E-Chapter format

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Description

Post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) is a significant enteric disease causing considerable economic losses for the pig industry. There are multiple factors for why pigs develop diarrhea post-weaning and require treatment with antibiotics. The condition ‘dysbiosis’ can be considered as an ecosystem where bacteria no longer live together in mutual harmony. With regard to development of PWD, we therefore consider this as a process in a simplistic manner, i.e., dysbiosis appears when the commensal no longer control the potential pathogenic bacteria. When the pathogenic bacteria colonize and adhere to the epithelium of the gut, they may induce diarrhea. There are a number of factors by which the gut function can be improved, and prevention of dysbiosis exert a major role herein. The objective is to provide an overview of factors, which may enhance gut function both in terms of a balanced or eubiotic ecosystem, and with regard to the epithelial barrier function.

Table of contents

1 Introduction
2 Eubiosis versus dysbiosis
3 Dysbiosis and post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD)
4 Microbiota composition as a predictor of post-weaning diarrhoea risk
5 Nutritional and dietary strategies to prevent dysbiosis in relation to post-weaning diarrhoea
6 Host factors influencing gut function
7 Conclusion and future trends in research
8 Where to look for further information
9 References