Pigs have been demonstrated to be an important reservoir for C.coli. Limited research has been focused on the population structure, the population dynamics and the impact of probiotics to reduce the colonization and shedding of C.coli in pigs. The aim of the project is to characterize the C.coli strain diversity in the porcine gut and to describe the virulence properties of predominant and rarely occuring strains. In vitro assays will be carried out to describe the potential inhibitory activities of probiotic bacteria by so-culturing these strains with C.coli. To evaluate the effect of probiotic bacteria on C.coli colonization and shedding in vivo, animal experiments will be carried out.

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