PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF DIGESTED BACTERIAL-CELL POWDER ON DIARRHEA IN SUCKLING PIGLETS

Digested bacterial cell powders (DBCPs) of 42 bacterial strains were s creened for their immunopotentiating effects, and a DBCP of a selected strain was further tested for its anti-diarrheal action in suckling p iglets. DBCP derived from Brevibacterium lactofermentum showed the hig hest potentiation of IgM production by mouse spleen cells. This DBCP a lso showed strong activity in stimulating mouse macrophage cells. The formation of NO2- by mouse macrophage cells was enhanced by an increas e of the DBCP concentration in the medium. Piglets that received 2 and 10 mg/day DBCP showed significant decrease in diarrhea morbidity and mortality rates in comparison with a nontreated control group. Rotavir us was observed 6/23 in a nontreated control group, 2/20 in the 2 mg/d ay DBCP group, and 0/22 in the 10 mg/day DBCP group. These findings su ggest that DBCP have in vitro-immunopotentiating activity, and that or al administration of DBCP may effectively prevent viral diarrhea in su ckling piglets.