A new case of sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter defect occurring as a life-threatening condition responsive to early vitamin supplementation and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Biallelic pathogenic variants in SLC5A6 resulting in sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) defect have recently been described as a vitamin-responsive inborn error of metabolism mimicking biotinidase deficiency. To our knowledge, only 16 patients have been reported so far with various clinical phenotypes such as neuropathy and other neurologic impairments, gastro-intestinal dysfunction and failure to thrive, osteopenia, immunodeficiency, metabolic acidosis, hypoglycemia, and recently severe cardiac symptoms. METHODS: We describe a case report of a 5-month-old girl presenting two recurrent episodes of metabolic decompensation and massive cardiac failure in the course of an infectious disease. We compare clinical, biological, and genetic findings of this patient to previous literature collected from Pubmed database (keywords: Sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT), SMVT defect/disorder/deficiency, SLC5A6 gene/mutation). RESULTS: We highlight the life-threatening presentation of this disease, the stagnation of psychomotor development, the severe and persistent hypogammaglobulinemia, and additionally, the successful clinical response on early vitamin supplementation (biotin 15 mg a day and pantothenic acid 100 mg a day). Metabolic assessment showed a persistent increase of urinary 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid (3-HIA) as previously reported in this disease in literature. CONCLUSION: SMVT deficiency is a vitamin-responsive inborn error of metabolism that can lead to a wide range of symptoms. Increased and isolated excretion of urinary 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid may suggest, in the absence of markedly reduced biotinidase activity, a SMVT deficiency. Prompt supplementation with high doses of biotin and pantothenic acid should be initiated while awaiting results of SLC5A6 sequencing as this condition may be life-threatening.

Effect of subinhibitory exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds on the ciprofloxacin susceptibility of Escherichia coli strains in animal husbandry.

BACKGROUND: Quaternary ammonium compound based disinfectants are commonly used in pig and poultry husbandry to maintain farm hygiene. However, studies have shown that subinhibitory concentrations of these disinfectants may increase antibiotic resistance. Investigation of antibiotic susceptibility is usually assessed via the microbroth dilution method, although this conventional culture-based technique only provides information on the bacteriostatic activity of an antimicrobial agent. Therefore, experiments were performed to investigate the effect of prior benzalkonium chloride (BKC) exposure on the viability of subsequent ciprofloxacin (CIP) treated Escherichia coli. RESULTS: Following CIP treatment, bacterial cell counts were significantly higher after exposure to a subinhibitory BKC concentration than without BKC exposure. The flow cytometric results suggested a BKC-dependent onset of membrane damage and loss of membrane potential. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a lower bactericidal effect of CIP treatment on BKC-exposed E. coli isolates compared to unexposed E. coli isolates.

Potential dietary feed additives with antibacterial effects and their impact on performance of weaned piglets: A meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis evaluated the use of potential dietary feed additives (pDFA) with antibacterial effects and their impact on the perfomance of weaned piglets. Twenty-three peer-reviewed in vivo studies, comprising 50 trials, were identified between January 2010 and January 2017. The pDFA in these studies could be grouped in 5 classes: antimicrobial peptides, chitosan, lysozyme, medium chain fatty acids/ triglycerides and plant extracts. Mixed-effect meta-analyses with type of pDFA as fixed effect were performed for the growth parameters 'average daily gain' (ADG) and 'feed conversion ratio' (FCR), which are the two most important and used economic performance parameters for farmers. For each class of pDFA, results of the meta-analysis showed significantly higher average daily gain in the group with pDFA compared to the negative control group, while no significant difference with the positive control group was observed. Furthermore, a positive effect on FCR was found, i.e. significantly less feed was needed to gain 1 kg of body weight in the group with pDFA compared to the negative control group. No significant differences with positive control groups were observed for each class of pDFA, except for plant extracts, where the FCR was also significantly reduced in the treatment group. These results suggest that pDFA could reduce the use of antimicrobials without significant negative effects on performance indicators.

Application of multiblock modelling to identify key drivers for antimicrobial use in pig production in four European countries.

Antimicrobial use in pig farming is influenced by a range of risk factors, including herd characteristics, biosecurity level, farm performance, occurrence of clinical signs and vaccination scheme, as well as farmers' attitudes and habits towards antimicrobial use. So far, the effect of these risk factors has been explored separately. Using an innovative method called multiblock partial least-squares regression, this study aimed to investigate, in a sample of 207 farrow-to-finish farms from Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden, the relative importance of the six above mentioned categories or 'blocks' of risk factors for antimicrobial use in pig production. Four country separate models were developed; they showed that all six blocks provided useful contribution to explaining antimicrobial use in at least one country. The occurrence of clinical signs, especially of respiratory and nervous diseases in fatteners, was one of the largest contributing blocks in all four countries, whereas the effect of the other blocks differed between countries. In terms of risk management, it suggests that a holistic and country-specific mitigation strategy is likely to be more effective. However, further research is needed to validate our findings in larger and more representative samples, as well as in other countries.

Sow and piglet factors determining variation of colostrum intake between and within litters.

Colostrum intake has a short- and long-term beneficial impact on piglet performance and mortality. Sows' colostrum production and piglets' colostrum intake are limited and highly variable. The present study investigated sow and piglet factors explaining the variation of colostrum intake between and within litters. The CV for colostrum intake and birth weight (BWb) of all piglets within a litter was calculated to evaluate the variation of colostrum intake and BWb within a litter (colostrum and litter BWb heterogeneity, respectively). A total of 1937 live-born piglets from 135 litters from 10 commercial herds were included. Colostrum intake per piglet averaged 371±144 g and was affected by breed (P=0.02). It was lower when oxytocin was administered to the sow during parturition (P=0.001) and with increased litter size (P<0.001). It was higher when the interval between birth and first suckling decreased (t FS, P<0.001). Colostrum intake was positively influenced by BWb (P<0.001) and this association was more pronounced in piglets from Topigs (P=0.03) and Hypor (P=0.03) sows compared with piglets from Danbred sow breeds. The positive relationship between colostrum intake and BWb was more pronounced when t FS lasted longer (P=0.009). Heterogeneity in colostrum intake averaged 31±11%, it increased when oxytocin was applied during farrowing (P=0.004) and when stillbirth occurred (P=0.006). Colostrum heterogeneity was positively associated with litter size (P<0.001) and litter BWb heterogeneity (P=0.01). The positive relationship between colostrum and litter BWb heterogeneity was more pronounced when oxytocin was applied during farrowing (P=0.04). The present study demonstrated that oxytocin should be used cautiously in sows during farrowing. Farrowing and colostrum management should prevent or counteract the adverse influences of stillbirth, large and heterogeneous litters on colostrum intake and colostrum heterogeneity. The study also confirmed the expected association between BWb and colostrum intake and indicated that the impact of BWb on colostrum intake was different among breeds (Hypor v. Danbred) and dependent on piglets' latency to first suckling. Hence, colostrum management should focus on low birth weight piglets, especially in some breeds, and low colostrum intake in low birth weight piglets can be counteracted by shortening the t FS.

Long-term effects of colostrum intake in piglet mortality and performance.

The present study investigated the long-term effects of colostrum intake on performance and mortality in pigs. A total of 1,455 live-born piglets in 10 commercial herds were followed from birth until 22 wk of age. Pigs were individually weighed at birth, at weaning, at onset (intermediate weight), and during the fattening period (finishing weight). Colostrum intake was calculated by the mechanistic model developed by Theil et al. (see text for citation). One linear mixed model was fitted to model the possible associations between colostrum intake and weight at the weaning, intermediate, and finishing periods. In addition to colostrum intake as the main predictor of interest, other predictor variables were also tested, namely birth weight, birth order, sex, breed, and the interval between birth and first suckling (t). Colostrum intake and birth weight were positively associated with weaning ( < 0.001), intermediate ( < 0.001), and finishing ( < 0.001) weights. Furthermore, higher colostrum intake is more beneficial to weaning ( < 0.001), intermediate ( < 0.001), and finishing ( = 0.02) weights in piglets with low versus high birth weights. Birth order was positively associated with weight at each measurement time ( = 0.01). Sex affected only finishing weight ( < 0.001). Some breeds differed in piglets' weight at onset or during the fattening period. The association between t and weaning weight differed by breed. Three generalized linear mixed models were performed to model the probability of dying during the suckling, the nursery, or the fattening period. Colostrum intake, birth weight, birth order, sex, breed, and t were tested. Preweaning mortality was negatively associated with colostrum intake ( < 0.001) and birth weight ( = 0.004) and positively associated with t ( < 0.001). Mortality during the nursery period was negatively associated with colostrum intake ( < 0.001) and birth weight ( = 0.002). The negative association between colostrum intake and mortality during the suckling ( < 0.001) and the nursery ( = 0.008) periods was more pronounced in small versus heavy piglets. Mortality during fattening was associated with weaning ( = 0.04) and intermediate ( = 0.006) weight. In conclusion, colostrum intake significantly influences piglets' short-term and long-term performance and mortality. As colostrum yield is reported to be independent of litter size, sufficient colostrum intake per piglet is crucial, especially in hyperprolific sows.

Sow and litter factors influencing colostrum yield and nutritional composition.

One of the main characteristics of colostrum intake (CI), colostrum yield (CY), and colostrum composition (CC) in pigs is its variability. The present observational study aimed to investigate factors influencing CY and CC in 10 commercial herds. In total, 100 sows of 5 different breeds and their 1,455 live-born piglets were included. Sows' CY was estimated by the CI of their suckling piglets. Colostrum composition was analyzed by LactoScope Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Colostrum yield averaged 3,500 ± 110 g and the percentage of colostral fat (CF), protein, and lactose in colostrum averaged 5.39 ± 0.12, 16.49 ± 0.14, and 2.02 ± 0.05 %, respectively. The effect of sow, litter, and parturition factors on CY and CC were evaluated with a linear mixed regression model with herd included as a random factor. Sows with a gestation length (GL) of 113 d had a higher CY (4,178 ± 506 g) than sows with a GL of 114 to 115 d (3,342 ± 107 g; = 0.04). An interaction was found between the litter birth weight of suckling piglets (LW) and GL ( = 0.03). In sows with a GL of 114 to 115 d, CY increased with higher LW ( = 0.009). A shorter interval between birth and first suckling of the litter was related to a higher CY ( < 0.01). The percentage of fat in colostrums was higher in Hypor sows (6.35 ± 0.51) than in PIC (4.98 ± 0.27; = 0.001), Topigs 20 (5.05 ± 0.14; < 0.001), and Danbred (5.34 ± 0.22; < 0.001) sows. The percentage of CF was negatively associated with parity ( = 0.02) and positively associated with the number of live-born piglets ( = 0.03). The percentages of colostral protein and lactose were not significantly associated with any factor in the multivariable model. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that CY and CF are affected by different sow and litter factors. Pig producers may implement these observations in their management to maximize production or reproduction potential by optimizing CI, CY, and CC.

Replacing serum in culture medium with albumin and insulin, transferrin and selenium is the key to successful bovine embryo development in individual culture.

Individual culture of bovine embryos is usually associated with low blastocyst development. However, during preliminary experiments in our laboratory we observed high blastocyst development after individual embryo culture in a serum-free culture system. We therefore hypothesised that serum has a negative effect on embryos cultured individually whereas embryos in groups can counteract this. First, we determined whether the timing of removal of serum (during maturation or culture) had an influence on individual embryo development. The results clearly showed that removal of serum during embryo culture was the main contributing factor since high blastocyst development was observed after individual culture in synthetic oviductal fluid supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and insulin, transferrin and selenium (ITS), independent of the maturation medium. Second, we investigated whether an individual factor of the ITS supplement was essential for individual embryo development. We demonstrated that repeatable high blastocyst percentages were due to the synergistic effect of ITS. Finally, we investigated if a group-culture effect can still be observed under serum-free conditions. Group culture generated blastocysts with higher total cell numbers and less apoptosis. These data show that individual culture in serum-free conditions leads to high blastocyst development, but group culture still improves blastocyst quality.

Evaluation of three intervention strategies to reduce the transmission of Salmonella Typhimurium in pigs.

Despite current control measures, Salmonella in pigs remains a major public health concern. In this in vivo study, the effect of three intervention strategies on Salmonella Typhimurium transmission in pigs was evaluated. The first intervention was feed supplemented with coated calcium-butyrate (group A); the second comprised oral vaccination with a double-attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium strain (group B), and the third was acidification of drinking water with a mixture of organic acids (group C). After challenge at 8 weeks of age, animals were individually sampled for 6 weeks (blood once per week; faeces twice per week) and then were euthanased at 14 weeks of age. Post-mortem ileum, caecum, ileocaecal lymph nodes, and tonsils were sampled, along with ileal, caecal and rectal contents, and tested for the presence of Salmonella spp. Transmission was quantified by calculating an 'adjusted' reproduction ratio 'Ra' and its 95% confidence interval (CI). The proportion of pigs that excreted Salmonella spp. via the faeces was significantly higher in group C (58%, P<0.0001) and the positive control group (41%, P=0.03), compared to group B (15%), and the proportion in group C was also significantly higher than in group A (23%, P=0.01). Group A had the lowest proportion of positive post-mortem samples (18%), followed by group B (31%), the positive control group (41%) and group C (64%) (P<0.03). The highest transmission was seen in the positive control group and group C (Ra=+∞ with 95% CI [1.88; +∞]), followed by group B (Ra=2.61 [1.21; 9.45]) and A (Ra=1.76 [1.02; 9.01]). The results of this study suggest that vaccination and supplementation of the feed with coated calcium-butyrate limited Salmonella transmission in pigs and might be useful control measures.

Comparison of oral versus parenteral iron supplementation on the health and productivity of piglets.

The aim of this study was to compare oral iron supplementation in feed with a standard iron injection and assess the impact on the health and productivity of pigs. The reliability of a quick test (HemoCue) for the measurement of blood haemoglobin concentration was also investigated. Three pig herds, with a total of 88 sows and their piglets, were included in the study. Piglets in treatment group O were fed a special iron-rich feed on days 2 to 4, 5 to 7 and 8 to 12 of lactation using a specially designed feeding device. Piglets in group IM received 200 mg of an iron dextran complex intramuscularly at three days of age. Haemoglobin concentrations and performance of the piglets were compared between groups. The mean haemoglobin concentrations in pigs at weaning were 131.4 and 116.4 g/l for pigs in groups O and IM, respectively (P<0.01). Daily weight gain (253.9 v 248.8 g/day) and piglet mortality (11.4 v 12.2 per cent) were slightly better in group O than in group IM (P>0.05).

Control of Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis in broilers by target-released butyric acid, fatty acids and essential oils.

The efficacy of target-released butyric acid, medium-chain fatty acids (C(6) to C(12) but mainly lauric acid) and essential oils (thymol, cinnamaldehyde, essential oil of eucalyptus) micro-encapsulated in a poly-sugar matrix to control necrotic enteritis was investigated. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of the different additives were determined in vitro, showing that lauric acid, thymol, and cinnamaldehyde are very effective in inhibiting the growth of Clostridium perfringens. The in vivo effects were studied in two trials in an experimental necrotic enteritis model in broiler chickens. In the first trial, four groups of chickens were fed a diet supplemented with butyric acid, with essential oils, with butyric acid in combination with medium-chain fatty acids, or with butyric acid in combination with medium-chain fatty acids and essential oils. In all groups except for the group receiving only butyric acid, a significant decrease in the number of birds with necrotic lesions was found compared with the infected, untreated control group. In the second trial the same products were tested but at a higher concentration. An additional group was fed a diet supplemented with only medium-chain fatty acids. In all groups except for that receiving butyric acid in combination with medium-chain fatty acids and essential oils, a significant decrease in the number of birds with necrotic lesions was found compared with the infected, untreated control group. These results suggest that butyric acid, medium-chain fatty acids and/or essential oils may contribute to the prevention of necrotic enteritis in broilers.

The use of tannins to control Salmonella typhimurium infections in pigs.

The aim of this study was to determine whether a hydrolysable tannin extract of sweet chestnut wood (Globatan(®)) has an inhibitory effect on Salmonella Typhimurium survival both in vitro and in vivo in pigs. In a first experiment, the minimal inhibitory concentration of Globatan(®) on 57 Salmonella Typhimurium isolates was determined. For all isolates, an MIC of 160-320 µg/ml was found. The second in vitro study revealed that Salmonella growth was strongly reduced using Globatan(®) concentrations of 25-50 µg/ml and nearly completely inhibited at a concentration of 100 µg/ml Globatan(®). In an in vivo trial, two groups of six piglets, each group receiving feed with or without the addition of Globatan(®) (3 g/kg), were orally inoculated with 10(7) colony forming units of a Salmonella Typhimurium strain. Globatan(®) had no effect on faecal excretion of Salmonella, and no differences in colonization of the intestines and internal organs were demonstrated in pigs euthanized at 4 days post-inoculation. In conclusion, the hydrolysable tannin extract used in this study showed strong action against Salmonella Typhimurium in vitro but not in vivo.

The cereal type in feed influences Salmonella Enteritidis colonization in broilers.

A study was conducted to analyze the effect of the cereal type in the diet on the susceptibility for Salmonella Enteritidis in broilers. In the first experiment, 40 newly hatched broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 4 different experimental treatment groups. Two treatment groups were fed a maize-soybean-based diet, of which one contained 100 mg/kg of the antibiotic growth promoter zinc bacitracin. The 2 other treatment groups were fed a wheat/rye-soybean-based diet, of which one was supplemented with 100 mg/kg of zinc bacitracin. The broilers were inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis at d 11 and killed at d 15. When the nonantibiotic- and the antibiotic-treated birds were pooled, the Salmonella colonization in the spleen and ceca of the birds fed a maize-based diet was significantly lower in comparison to colonization of spleen and ceca in the wheat/rye groups. Zinc bacitracin did not affect Salmonella colonization. In a second experiment, which was a modified repetition of the first experiment, 120 newly hatched broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 2 experimental treatments. They were fed a maize-soybean or a wheat/rye-soybean based diet, inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis at d 11, and killed at d 15. A significantly lower Salmonella colonization was observed in the spleen, liver, and ceca of broilers given a maize-based diet in comparison to those given a wheat/rye-based diet. These data show that the cereal type in broiler feed can affect Salmonella colonization probably due to changes in intestinal health of the birds. Hence, altering the diet composition can be regarded as a simple tool to supplement other control measures against Salmonella in broilers.

Coated fatty acids alter virulence properties of Salmonella Typhimurium and decrease intestinal colonization of pigs.

Salmonella Typhimurium infections in pigs are a major source of human foodborne salmonellosis. To reduce the number of infected pigs, acidification of feed or drinking water is a common practice. The aim of the present study was to determine whether some frequently used short- (SCFA) and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) are able to alter virulence gene expression and to decrease Salmonella Typhimurium colonization and shedding in pigs using well established and controlled in vitro and in vivo assays. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 4 SCFA (formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid) and 2 MCFA (caproic and caprylic acid) were determined using 54 porcine Salmonella Typhimurium field strains. MIC values increased at increasing pH-values and were two to eight times lower for MCFA than for SCFA. Expression of virulence gene fimA was significantly lower when bacteria were grown in LB-broth supplemented with sub-MIC concentrations of caproic or caprylic acid (2 mM). Expression of hilA and invasion in porcine intestinal epithelial cells was significantly lower when bacteria were grown in LB-broth containing sub-MIC concentrations of butyric acid or propionic acid (10 mM) and caproic or caprylic acid (2 mM). When given as feed supplement to pigs experimentally infected with Salmonella Typhimurium, coated butyric acid decreased the levels of faecal shedding and intestinal colonization, but had no influence on the colonization of tonsils, spleen and liver. Uncoated fatty acids, however, did not influence fecal shedding, intestinal or tonsillar colonization in pigs. In conclusion, supplementing feed with certain coated fatty acids, such as butyric acid, may help to reduce the Salmonella load in pigs.

Tetracycline-resistance in lactose-positive enteric coliforms originating from Belgian fattening pigs: degree of resistance, multiple resistance and risk factors.

Between March and October 2003 a field study was conducted in 50 randomly selected pig herds to assess the degree of tetracycline-resistance in lactose-positive enteric coliforms (LPEC) originating from fattening pigs and to evaluate the combined effects of various husbandry conditions on the development and persistence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Data on housing, management and antimicrobial-drug consumption were collected, as well as faecal samples at three production stages: end of the nursery period (mean age: 72 days), end of the grower period (mean age: 125 days) and end of the finisher period (mean age: 186 days). The degree of tetracycline-resistant LPEC was determined by means of an agar dilution method. Tetracycline-resistant LPEC were found in every herd. The overall degree of tetracycline-resistance in LPEC was 56.8% (S.D. 22.4%). Only a very weak relation was found between the degrees of TETR in the different production stages within the same herd, indicating that the degree of TETR is mainly associated with the production stage rather than with the farm as a whole. The risk factor analysis showed that besides the antimicrobial-drug use, other factors like inside pen hygiene can influence the development and maintenance of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the gastrointestinal tracts of pigs. It was also observed that tetracycline-resistance in commensal Escherichia coli is often linked with resistance to other antimicrobial drugs like ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulphonamides. These results illustrate that the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance is influenced by antimicrobial-drug use, cross-resistance development and non-antimicrobial risk factors.

Exergy analysis in the assessment of the sustainability of waste gas treatment systems.

This study focuses on the sustainability of different technological options for the treatment of waste gases from a waste water treatment plant loaded with volatile organic compounds. The options considered are biofiltration, active carbon adsorption and catalytic and thermal oxidation. The amount of resources and utilities to construct and operate each system have been investigated from the point of view of the Second Law of thermodynamics. The unit in which all resources are treated is Joules of exergy. It was concluded that biofiltration was the most exergetically efficient system. The cumulative exergy consumption of the resources and utilities for construction and operation have been quantified in exergy terms. Further on, the requirements for the abatement of emissions generated by operating the waste gas treatment systems and the amount of renewables have been taken into account in the assessment of the sustainability of the waste gas treatment technologies. Finally, a comparison between exergy analysis and life cycle analysis in assessing the sustainability of the waste gas treatment options, is presented.