Influence of the probiotic bacterial strain, Bacillus cereus var. toyoi, on the development of selected microbial groups adhering to intestinal mucosal tissues of piglets

The influence of the probiotic bacterial strain, Bacillus cereus var. toyoi , on the development of total anaerobic growth, enterobacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and Enterococcus spp. associated with intestinal mucosal tissues of piglets before and shortly after weaning was evaluated. Bacterial growt h capacities were determined in microtiter plates by incubating mucosal tis sue extracts in selective liquid media for enterobacteria, lactic acid bact eria (LAB), Enterococcus spp, or total anaerobic growth. Growth of mucosa-a ssociated enterobacteria was reduced (P < 0.05) in samples from the trial g roup before weaning. Furthermore, growth was similar in all samples, while growth of enterobacteria from the control group increased the closer the sa mples were taken from the large intestine. Total anaerobic bacteria showed similar development as enterobacteria. Decreased growth was recorded in sam ples from the small intestine of piglets from the control group at the time of weaning at 28 d of age. Growth of Enterococcus Spp. and LAB decreased from d 13 of age and displaye d a sharp increase after weaning, independent of probiotic supplementation. It is concluded that B. cereus var. toyoi depressed growth of enterobacteri a in the intestinal tract. There are strong indications that the early upta ke of already modified microbial populations from faeces of the sow aids in the establishment of similar microbial populations in the piglet.