Clostridial diseases are caused by microorganisms of the genus Clostridium, which includes numerous species of bacteria. These have the form of bacilli, are anaerobic, capable of forming spores, which allows them to persist in the environment for long periods of time, and they produce powerful toxins with very varied characteristics that are, in most cases, responsible for the illness.

The species of clostridia we deal with most often in pigs are Clostridium perfringens type A and C and Clostridium difficile. In the case of sows (mothers), this condition is associated with Clostridium novyi, Clostridium chauvoei and Clostridium septicum.

Clostridia are generally normal inhabitants of the pig’s intestine. When the right conditions are met, they multiply and cause damage related to the production of exotoxins. Overuse of antibiotics and high-protein diets are some of the most important predisposing factors.

Clostridium problems are present throughout the world. In the specific case of Mexico, there is a high prevalence, and it is estimated that between 8-10% of digestive disorders in pigs correspond to this etiological agent.

Given the high prevalence of this problem, it is essential to control these bacteria. Biovet S.A has developed natural tools that are very effective in reducing clostridial challenges. Among these natural tools, the cimenol ring and pronutrients stand out, as they have advantages over other additives: they comply with legislation and consumers demands, and promote sustainable production. They do not generate bacterial resistance, do not need a withdrawal period and do not leave residues.

Clostridium perfringens enteritis

Clostridiosis can always be a threat for sows and their piglets, and the etiological agent is Clostridium perfringens type A and C. This bacteria can be found in the soil and in the intestine of all pigs without causing disease. The outbreak and the presence of signs appears once there is an excessive proliferation of this agent, which is usually linked to imbalances in the intestinal welfare of the animal.

Piglets are infected with C. perfringens orally, from sow feces, usually during the first days of life. These are more susceptible to enteritis when they have not calostrated properly. In fattening pigs, it causes sudden death, painful inflammation, and discoloration of the muscle.

When conditions are met in the host, the organism penetrates between the absorptive cells of the jejunum and produces an exotoxin that causes necrosis of the structural components of the villi.

perfringens type C produces a severe and lethal necrotic enteritis in newborn pigs. The most frequent disease presentation is the acute, piglets suffer smelly diarrhea that is often bloody, and many of them die quickly. In weak litters, mortality can reach 100% and be so fast that it occurs within a few hours, even before signs appear. At necropsy, the thickened intestinal wall is observed with the presence of gas and, also, necrotic lesions in the intestinal mucosa, hemorrhages and fibrinonecrotic peritonitis.

perfringens type A can cause mortality, but it often produces a milder enteritis, compared to type C, which is more virulent. Pigs infected with type A generally have pasty diarrhea, their hairs may become rough, they tend to recover, but we see its impact on growth retardation The fact that this bacterium does not cause intestinal damage makes diagnosis difficult. Beta-2 toxin is believed to play a key role in causing diarrhea, and bacteria isolated from affected animals generally produce this toxin.

Tiflocolitis neonatal por Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile disease is characterized by diarrhea in newborn piglets. The course of the disease is so rapid that, normally, they get infected within hours after delivery and seem to be born with diarrhea.

Like C. perfringens, C. difficile is ubiquitous and also present in the intestine of pigs. Under the right conditions, it multiplies rapidly and produces toxins that cause diarrhea.

Piglet diarrhea occurs during the first week of life and is sometimes associated with the use of antibiotics as a predisposing factor. In postmortem examination, the lining of the colon is inflamed with fluid (edema) and the contents of the large intestine are yellow, from pasty to watery.

Clostridiosis in sows

The most common clostridial disease in sows is associated with Clostridium novyi. This microorganism causes sudden death, the development of the disease is very short and sometimes the only finding are dead sows that were in good condition.

novyi spores can enter the body through skin lesions, reaching underlying tissues and muscles, and then the liver. These spores can remain dormant and inactive for long periods, until there is a decrease in the hepatic blood flow caused by other diseases (pneumonia, enteritis). The decrease in the hepatic blood flow favors the sporulation, rapid multiplication of the bacteria and production of toxins, which severely damages the liver, causing the death of the sow.

It is very important to perform the necropsy as soon as possible to avoid confusing the lesions caused by this clostridial infection with postmortem changes.

Natural solutions for Clostridium control

Due to the high mortality caused by clostridial disease, it is necessary to carry out control plans for these bacteria. They can be controlled in two ways: controlling the agent and improving intestinal welfare. Biovet S.A has developed two effective natural solutions based on pronutrients and the cimenol ring.

The two solutions presented below can be used both in combination and separately, the choice should depend on the prevalence of this problem in each farm.

Intestinal conditioner pronutrients

The research and development department of Biovet S.A has studied and patented this technology. They are complex molecules of plant origin that improve intestinal physiology, the mechanism of action is based on their metagenetic action by which they stimulate specific genes of the DNA that improve the functionality of enterocytes. They act as an external stimulus that increases the synthesis of functional proteins in the enterocytes, which is reflected in a greater regeneration of the cells of the intestinal mucosa and an increase in nutrient absorption.

Increased expression of genes (CD1E, RIMBP2, among others) has been identified in enterocytes thanks to the metagenetic stimulation of intestinal conditioner pronutrients. These genes are related to specific functions: cell adhesion (tight junctions) and proliferation, nutrient absorption, the immune system, and metabolism. Tight junctions are composed of proteins (occludins, claudins), which are responsible for maintaining the good status of the paracellular space to prevent infections in the digestive tract from inaving the organism.

The pronutrients exert their beneficial effect by stimulating the regeneration of the enterocytes and strengthening tight junctions. They improve the anatomy of the villi and promote the development of beneficial acidophilic flora, thus achieving a better intestinal well-being that will consequently reduce the probability of clostridial infections.

The product is produced and marketed by BIOVET S.A under the name Alquernat Nebsui^®. Available in premix and liquid presentation.

Cimenol ring

It is a molecule of natural origin with antimicrobial capacity that acts as an intestinal biocide, controlling pathogenic bacteria (Clostridium, Salmonella, E. coli) and favoring the development of beneficial microorganisms. It is effective against both gram positive and negative bacteria.

Biovet S.A.’s R&D department has developed a technology that combines the effect of the cimenol ring and citric acid (Alquermold^® Natural). A synergism occurs, since citric acid generates pores in the bacterial membrane, facilitating the entry of the cimenol ring into the bacteria, causing destabilization of the plasma membrane and death by osmotic shock. The combined action of these two active compounds has been patented by Biovet S.A.

The use of the cimenol ring has a direct effect on Clostridium, limiting its excessive growth, reducing enteric challenges. It is important to note that it does not affect the beneficial microbiota, on the contrary, it promotes its development, improving intestinal welfare and therefore the control of Clostridium.

The strategic use of the cimenol ring should also include breeding sows, since their feces are the main source of infection of piglets, thus, reducing the load of Clostridium in the mother will reduce the risk of infection in piglets.

The cimenol ring can be combined with intestinal conditioner pronutrients, since the first directly controls microorganisms and pronutrients stimulate the regeneration of enterocytes and the reinforce tight junctions, therefore, these natural solutions help to achieve greater intestinal welfare.

The cimenol ring has a dual effect since, in addition to being an intestinal biocide, it is a preservative of raw materials and compound feeds. Additionally, it is a safe product that does not generate bacterial resistance, lacks a withdrawal period and leaves no residue.

The product is produced and marketed by BIOVET S.A under the trade name Alquermold^® Natural. Available in premix and liquid presentations.

Conclusions

Clostridial diseases in pigs are a worldwide problem that generates great economic losses derived from mortality, decreased performance and expenses in medical treatments.

In different field trials, intestinal conditioner pronutrients and the cimenol ring showed between 13 and 16% efficacy in reducing morbidity and 15% in mortality associated with Clostridium.

The intestinal conditioner pronutrients and the cimenol ring have advantages over other additives, have proven efficacy, are chemically defined and are composed of active molecules with fully described mechanisms of action. Either in combined strategies or separately, they are effective in reducing the effects of Clostridium and improving the productive parameters.

They are solutions that meet the characteristics demanded by current pig farming, contributing to the reduction of the use of chemical antibiotics and productive sustainability.

Bibliographic references:

• Clostridium perfringens type C necrotic enteritis in pigs: diagnosis, pathogenesis, and prevention
• Horst Posthaus1, Sonja Kittl, Basma Tarek, Julia Bruggisser https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1040638719900180
• Diseases guide, Clostridial diseases.  https://www.thepigsite.com/disease-guide/clostridial-diseases
• Veterinary microbiology, Molecular epidemiology of Clostridium difficile isolated from piglets. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378113519307102
• Toxinas de Clostridium perfringens Revista Argentina de Microbiología, vol. 41, núm. 4, 2009, pp. 251-260 Asociación Argentina de Microbiología Buenos Aires, Argentina. Morris, W. E.; Fernández-Miyakawa, M. E. https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/2130/213016781010.pdf
• https://www.veterinariadigital.com/post_blog/enteritis-necrotica-porcina/