microscopic images to calculate relative biofilm volumes (Fig- ure 2). For the four micro-organisms tested, pre-treatment with positive biofilm helped to avoid colonisation by undesir- able micro-organisms. In pig farming, a high level of hygiene and biosecurity can sig- nificantly improve production costs. The difference in profita- bility between swine farms with high biosecurity levels and those with lower levels has been estimated at around € 200/ sow/year. In that context, the positive biofilm approach is of particular interest in maternity and post-weaning phases. Several on-farm trials indicate benefits in both environments.
Preserving piglets’ environment A five-month trial was carried out with three consecutive pig- let batches, for a total of 2,318 piglets, on a commercial farm. The positive biofilm was applied in two rooms. There were also two control rooms. Microbial sampling was performed during the first batch within the animals’ surroundings (spe- cific petri dishes left on slates). The positive biofilm generated a positive microbial environ- ment. Consequently, the development of undesirable bacte- ria in the animal environment (Streptococci, coliforms) was lower. As a consequence, the overall piglet mortality rate (in the three batches) was reduced from 1.46% (control rooms) to 0.43% (biofilm rooms). It was concluded from the trial that applying a positive bio- film solution to complement cleaning and disinfection proce- dures helps maintain a safe microbial environment before the entry of the animals and, thus, contributes to preserving the good hygiene conditions of the building.
Controlling the farrowing room microbiota In farrowing rooms, a trial conducted at a commercial farm in Italy showed similar benefits. The positive biofilm was applied on walls and floors of the farrowing room four hours after dis- infection and three days prior to the sows’ entry. Microbial sampling in the environment was carried out on slatted floors at different times. Again, the positive biofilm solution helped to maintain a positive microbial balance in the building. The development of undesired micro-organisms was lower than in the control room: • Staphylococcus species were present in both treated and control rooms and on both plastic walls and slatted floors. In the control room, bacteria counts showed an increase over time of Staphylococcus species; in the room treated with a positive biofilm, the speed of growth was almost stabilised from 2.9 to 3.0 log/cm2
. At day 4, the Staphylococcus species
population was lower in the treated room (Figure 3). • Streptococcus species were only observed on slatted floor surfaces. Again, the positive biofilm implementation helped keep good hygiene conditions.
References available on request.
Figure 2 - Normalised biovolumes of the different pathogens calculated from the fluorescent microscopy data.
1.2 1
0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0
Pathogen + positive biofilm Only pathogen
Artist’s impres- sion of a biofilm of bacteria.
Source: INRA Micalis, internal report, 2019.
Figure 3 - Evolution of Staphylococcus spp. contamination on slatted floors of farrowing room with and without positive biofilm application in LOG CFU/cm2. Day 0 corresponds to the entry of the sows.
4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 0
Control With positive biofilm
Day 0 Day 1 Day 4
Day 0 Day 1 Day 4 Source: Lallemand Animal Nutrition, internal data; Commercial farm, Italy, 2017. ▶PIG PROGRESS | Volume 36, No. 10, 2020 31
ILLUSTRATION: SHUTTERSTOCK
E. coli
L monocytogenes
S. aureus
E. coli SS2
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