Impact of the Priobiotic on the Presence of Selected Virulence Genes and Drug-Resistance Among Campylobacter Coli Isolated from Piglets

The investigations comprised 100 piglets of crossbreed Polish Landrace x Large White Polish breed. Faeces samples were collected on the 2^nd d of piglets’ life (control). On the 5^th d of life of the piglets, probiotic paste was applied and 7 d later, faecal samples were collected again. The material included 100 isolates of Campylobacter sp. obtained from healthy piglets. All isolates were assigned to the Campylobacter coli species. The occurrence of virulence genes was determined by the PCR method. Drugresistance of the obtained isolates was determined using diffusion tests and E-test strips. All isolates deriving from the control group piglets were found to contain the cadF gene responsible for adhesion, as well as, gene flaA influencing motility of the examined bacteria. In piglets fed diets supplemented with probiotics, the cadF gene occurred in 100% isolates and gene flaA - in 99% isolates. Campylobacter coli isolates obtained from piglets from the control group exhibited the highest resistance with respect to ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin. The similar results were recorded in the case of isolates obtained after the probiotic application. The majority of the isolates generated α type haemolysis (91%-92%). No significant differences were recorded in the capability of generating haemolysis between isolates obtained before probiotic administration and the isolates obtained after the application of the experimental probiotic.