How Protein Quality Affects Pig Health During Infections

Pigs face different health challenges when infected with various pathogens. A recent study looked at how hard-to-digest protein in their food affects their well-being when they get sick. The focus was on two common pig illnesses: E. coli and Salmonella. Thirty-two young pigs were split into two groups. One group ate food with a lower amount of hard-to-digest protein, while the other group had a higher amount. After a week, half of the pigs in each group were given E. coli, and the other half got Salmonella.The results showed that hard-to-digest protein had different effects depending on the type of infection. Pigs with Salmonella and a high-protein diet ate less, grew slower, and had worse fecal scores. They also showed more signs of inflammation and stress. On the other hand, pigs with E. coli didn't show these problems. Interestingly, the type of protein in the diet didn't affect the pigs before they got sick. But after infection, the hard-to-digest protein made things worse for pigs with Salmonella. It led to more inflammation, higher stress levels, and even allowed the bacteria to spread more easily. The study suggests that the quality of protein in pig food matters, especially when they're sick. Feeding them easier-to-digest protein might help them recover better from infections like Salmonella.