Methods of treating pigs with bacillus strains

Abstract

Disclosed are methods of administering at least two Bacillus strains to a pig, such as female breeding stock, nursery pigs, or other pigs. The Bacillus strains inhibit Clostridium in litters borne to the pig. The Bacillus strains also are useful when administered to herds lacking symptoms of Clostridium infection. Administration of the Bacillus strains improves performance of female breeding stock and in piglets borne by the female breeding stock.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising administering an effective amount of at least two  Bacillus  strains selected from strains 22CP1 (ATCC PTA-6508), 3AP4 (ATCC PTA-6506), 15AP4 (ATCC PTA-6507), 2084 (NRRL B-50013), LSSAOI (NRRL B-50104), and 27 (NRRL B-50105) to a pig. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus  strains are strains 3AP4 (ATCC PTA-6506) and LSSAOI (NRRL B-50104). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus  strains are strains 15AP4 (ATCC PTA-6507) and LSSA01 (NRRL B-50104). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus  strain is administered to female breeding stock. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus  strain is administered during gestation of the pig. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein a total microbial count of 3.75×10 5  CFU/g of feed/day is administered. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus  strain is administered during lactation of the pig. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a total microbial count of 8.5×10 8  CFU/g of feed/day is administered. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein administration of the  Bacillus  strain inhibits  Clostridium  in litters borne to the pig. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the  Clostridium  is  Clostridium peifringes.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the Clostridium is  Clostridium difficile.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising modifying the  Bacillus  strains administered based on a change in  Clostridium  strains to which the pig is exposed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein administration of the  Bacillus  strains provides at least one of the following in litters borne to the pig relative to that in litters borne to pigs that have not been administered the  Bacillus  strains: (A) lower average scour scores in the first week after birth, and (B) a decrease in the percentage of scouring litters. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pig is in a herd lacking symptoms of i Clostridium infection. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein administration of the  Bacillus  strains decreases clostridial load in the gastrointestinal tract of piglets borne by the pig relative to that in piglets borne to pigs that have not been. administered the  Bacillus  strains. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pig is in a unit of pigs that are subclinical for clostridial scours. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein performance of at least one of the pig and piglets borne by the pig is improved during lactation relative to pigs and piglets that have not been administered the  Bacillus  strains. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus  strain is administered when the pig is at least one of a nursery pig and a feedlot pig. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising administering an effective amount of  Bacillus  strains 3AP4 (ATCC PTA-6506) and LSSAO1 (NRRL B-50104) to a pig. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the pig is a gestating pig.