Publikationsdatenbank

Highly fermentable fiber supplementation impacts roundworm infection and Type 2 immunity in pigs (2025)

Art

Vortrag

Autoren

Höfler, Philipp (WE 6)

Rausch, Sebastian (WE 6)

Kundik, Arkadi (WE 6)

Schlosser-Brandenburg, Josephine (WE 6)

Saliu, Eva-Maria

Oser, Larissa (WE 6)

Laubschat, Alexandra (WE 6)

Zentek, Jürgen (WE 4)

Hartmann, Susanne (WE 6)

Kongress

29th Congress of the European Society of Veterinary & Comparative Nutrition ESVCN

Leipzig, 04. – 06.09.2025

Quelle

Proceedings of the 29th Congress of the European Society of Veterinary & Comparative Nutrition ESVCN : 4th – 6th September 2025 Leipzig, Germany — Wilkens MR, Vervuert I, Heilmann R, Dobenecker B, Rackwitz R (eds.) (Hrsg.)

Leipzig: Müller Buchbinderei GmbH, 2025. LBH: Leipziger Blaue Hefte — S. 141

Sprache

Englisch

Kontakt

Institut für Tierernährung

Königin-Luise-Str. 49
14195 Berlin
+49 30 838 52256
tierernaehrung@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Introduction Ascaris spp. are among the most prevalent intestinal parasites in both humans and pigs, causing stunting and emaciation of infected individuals and leading to significant economic losses in pig husbandry1. Previous studies in mice demonstrated that dietary fibre supplementation, such as with inulin, can support innate type 2 immune responses against gastrointestinal helminth infections2. Here, we investigated how inulin and sugar beet pulp (IN/SBP), both highly fermentable fibres, affected Ascaris suum (A. suum) infection and immune responses in pigs.
Material and methods: Animals: All procedures were approved by the Berlin State Office of Health and Social Affairs (approval number G107/22). Twenty-four female German hybrid piglets (Pietrain × [German Landrace × Large White]) from a conventional breeding facility), at 6–7 weeks of age, were randomly assigned in 4 different groups with two feeding regimens: control diet or a IN/SBP-enriched diet, with IN content of 5% and increasing content of SBP, 5% at start and 8% after week 4. Both diets were isocaloric and balanced for major nutrients apart from the added fiber. IN/SBP were replaced primarily by lignocellulose and corn in the control diet. One week after arrival, fecal samples were checked for A. suum eggs using the Mini-FLOTAC method. After four weeks on the respective diets, piglets were orally infected with 4000 A. suum eggs, then maintained on the same diet for an additional five weeks until necropsy. Parasitology: Fecal samples were tested by Mini-FLOTAC for egg detection. Preadult worms were collected and counted at necropsy. Adult worms were photographed against a dark background with a scale; length and area were measured in ImageJ/Fiji. Worm fecundity was not assessed as worms are immature at this time point. Immunological Analyses: Flow cytometry was employed to characterize lymphocyte subsets and detect intracellular cytokines or transcription factors in lamina propria cells. Ascaris-specific immunoglobulin levels (e.g., IgA) in bile and digesta were determined by ELISA. Intestinal samples were stained histologically to evaluate goblet cell numbers and assess tissue changes.
Results and discussion: Although no significant differences in mean intestinal worm burdens were observed between the groups 5 weeks post-infection, the average worm length and diameter were significantly reduced in the IN/SBP-supplemented group. Reduced parasite size was associated with stronger Th2 responses, more pronounced eosinophil infiltration, higher goblet cell numbers, and higher levels of Ascaris-specific specific IgA in the small intestine compared to standard fed infection controls.
Conclusion: In conclusion, a diet enriched with IN/SBP supports both innate and adaptive Th2-associated immune responses against Ascaris infection in pigs, resulting in reduced parasite growth. Further investigations are required to determine whether these effects are linked to changes in microbiome or metabolite composition and whether they influence parasite reproduction or accelerate worm expulsion.