Feed intake has no effect on S. suis infected piglets

The study (conducted in 2013) also looked at the effect of the feed additives cinnamon, lauric acid and glycerol monolaurate and their ability to kill various S. suis serotype 2 and 9 strains.

Effect of feed intake and weight

At the Swine Innovation Centre Sterksel (part of Wageningen UR in the Netherlands) the effects of birth weight (high versus low birth weight) and of feed intake before weaning (eater versus non-eater) on the number of weaned piglets with clinical signs of an infection with Streptococcus suis (S. suis) were investigated. It was shown that there is no effect of birth weight and of feed intake before weaning on the number of piglets with clinical signs of an infection with S. suis. The number of tonsil swabs in which S. suis was detected was similar in high and low birth weight piglets and in eaters and non-eaters.

Antibacterial effects of feed additives

The feed additives cinnamon, lauric acid and monolaurate were tested in in vitro on their antibacterial effects against different S. suis serotype 2 and 9 strains. All three feed additives were able to efficiently kill the various S. suis serotypes. A combination of lauric acid and  glycerol monolaurate was more effective compared to the individual additives.

Source: Wageningen UR