How Protein Quality Affects Pig Health During Infections

Pigs face different health challenges when infected with various pathogens. A recent study examined how hard-to-digest protein in their food affects their well-being when they get sick, focusing on two common pig illnesses: E. coli and Salmonella.

Study Design

• Participants: 32 young pigs
• Groups:
• Group 1: Low hard-to-digest protein diet
• Group 2: High hard-to-digest protein diet
• Infection:
• After a week, half of the pigs in each group were infected with E. coli
• The other half were infected with Salmonella

Key Findings

• Salmonella Infection:
• Pigs with a high-protein diet ate less, grew slower, and had worse fecal scores.
• They exhibited more signs of inflammation and stress.
• E. coli Infection:
• No significant negative effects observed.

Notable Observations

• Pre-Infection: The type of protein did not affect the pigs.
• Post-Infection: Hard-to-digest protein worsened outcomes for pigs with Salmonella, leading to:
• Increased inflammation
• Higher stress levels
• Easier bacterial spread

Conclusion

The study suggests that the quality of protein in pig food is crucial, especially during infections. Feeding pigs easier-to-digest protein may help them recover better from infections like Salmonella.