Beyond antibiotics: Strategies for sustainable control of E.coli in swine herds

By Vincent Jacquier (Category Specialist Polyphenols)

Pathogenic E. coli, especially enterotoxigenic strains, pose a persistent threat to swine health and profitability. Despite current control methods, outbreaks remain common. The next-generation functional fiber solution, Vitafibra, offers promising non-antibiotic support for gut health and pathogen control.

F4 and F18 may sound like Formula 1 car variants or chess moves, but they are actually fimbrial antigens of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains that cause major economic losses in the swine industry. ETEC infections remain a persistent challenge, especially during neonatal and post-weaning phases when piglets are most vulnerable. These outbreaks lead to reduced growth performance, up to 28% lower average daily gain and 20% poorer feed efficiency (Duarte et al., 2023), increased mortality rates reaching 70% or even 100% in some litters, and higher treatment costs, adding over $1.29 per piglet. European reports indicate that severe outbreaks can slash farm profitability by up to 30%, with annual losses estimated at €134 per sow in some European herds. Beyond financial impact, outbreaks increase labor demands, compromise herd health, and raise diagnostic costs, especially with co-infections like rotavirus or Clostridium. In response to antimicrobial resistance, the EU has banned routine antibiotic use and growth promoters, pushing for sustainable alternatives such as improved biosecurity, targeted vaccination, and innovative non-antibiotic solutions to ensure effective E. coli control and maintain farm viability.

Vitafibra: A breakthrough innovation in E. coli control

One of the most promising innovations in non-antibiotic strategies is Vitafibra, a specific fiber fraction developed by Agrimprove to physically trap and flush out pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli in the gastrointestinal tract These fibers are designed to serve as decoy receptors, thereby allowing pathogens to adhere to the fiber and not to the epithelial cell receptors, leading to displacement of the pathogen from the gastrointestinal tract. (figure 1).

An in vitro ETEC F4 adhesion assay using Caco-2 cells was conducted to evaluate the effect of Vitafibra on ETEC F4 attachment. ETEC F4 was pre-incubated with 0.2% Vitafibra before exposure to Caco-2 monolayers, and adhered bacteria were quantified. Results show a significant reduction in ETEC F4 adhesion when Vitafibra was present (0.7 log CFU/mL decrease, P < 0.001), indicating that Vitafibra effectively limits bacterial attachment to intestinal cells (figure 2).

These results were confirmed in a published in vivo study (Tanghe et al., 2023), in which the authors demonstrated a significant reduction in E. coli populations at the caecal level, with -1.19 log E. coli (P = 0.03; figure 3). Additionally, Vitafibra tended to increase cecal butyric acid (10.4 vs. 19.1 mmol/kg; P = 0.07). This non-pharmacological approach offers broad-spectrum protection without contributing to antimicrobial resistance or disrupting beneficial microbiota. Next to dietary and prebiotic fibers, the functional fiber fractions provide a solid preventive strategy that complements biosecurity, vaccination, and nutritional interventions, particularly during high-risk periods like weaning.

Complementary strategies to increase protection

Management practices and biosecurity

While Vitafibra provides a strong foundation for gut health, controlling E. coli infections requires an integrated approach that combines multiple strategies. Strong management practices and robust biosecurity are essential for controlling E. coli infections in pig farms (Yun et al., 2020). Measures such as all-in/all-out production systems, thorough cleaning and disinfection between batches, and strict control of personnel and equipment movement help reduce the introduction and spread of pathogens. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and ventilation must be carefully managed to minimize stress, which can compromise piglets’ immune defenses. Nutritional strategies, including lower crude protein and higher fiber diets, consistent feed quality and gradual weaning protocols, also play a role in maintaining gut integrity and reducing susceptibility to enteric infections (Tang et al., 2024). Despite these efforts, E. coli outbreaks still occur, particularly during the post-weaning phase when piglets are most vulnerable. This is due to the bacteria’s ability to persist in the environment and rapidly colonize the gut under favorable conditions. Therefore, while biosecurity and management are essential, they cannot guarantee complete protection, and must be integrated with other preventive and therapeutic approaches to achieve more reliable control.

Antibiotics: From cornerstone to last resort

Antibiotics have long been central to treat E. coli in swine, They can rapidly reduce bacterial load, alleviate clinical symptoms, and prevent secondary infections, making them highly effective in acute outbreak situations (Barros et al., 2023). However, widespread use has led to antimicrobial resistance, threatening animal and public health. Regulations now restrict their use, especially for growth promotion or routine prevention. Antibiotics also disrupt beneficial gut bacteria, affecting long-term health. While still useful in emergencies, their routine role is declining, prompting a shift toward non-antibiotic alternatives.

Vaccination as part of an integrated E. coli control strategy

Vaccination provides targeted prevention, especially against enterotoxigenic E. coli (Moon et al., 1993). Oral vaccines stimulate mucosal immunity, while injectable ones targeting fimbrial antigens (F4, F18) block bacterial adhesion and reduce post-weaning diarrhea. When matched to circulating strains, vaccines improve herd health. However, efficacy is strain-specific, and protection may be incomplete if multiple or evolving variants are present. While vaccination is a valuable tool in integrated health programs, it is not a standalone solution and must be complemented by other preventive measures to ensure robust and reliable control.

Functional feed ingredients

Functional feed ingredients and additives have gained traction as part of non-antibiotic strategies to enhance gut health and resilience. Live beneficial microorganisms such as Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Enterococcus species can help stabilize gut microbiota, enhance mucosal immunity, and competitively exclude pathogenic bacteria (Dubreuil, 2017). Prebiotics such as inulin and FOS promote beneficial microbes, while mediumchain fatty acids and organic acids lower gut pH and create an unfavorable environment for E. coli (Gebhardt et al., 2019; Schokker et al., 2025). To maximize efficacy, these tools should be implemented as part of a comprehensive health management strategy.

Conclusion

In summary, no single solution is sufficient on its own. The most effective path forward lies in combining these tools into a cohesive, science-based health management program. Among them, functional fibers like Vitafibra stand out as a particularly promising innovation, offering a new layer of protection that aligns with the industry’s shift toward sustainable, antibiotic-free production.

As a summary:

• Improved management practices: Essential but generally insufficient, especially in large-scale operations.
• Antibiotic treatments: Effective for acute infections, but overuse contributes to antimicrobial resistance. Increasingly restricted and not sustainable for routine prevention.
• Vaccination: Targeted vaccines can reduce incidence but are often strain-specific and may not offer broad protection and require frequent adaptation to remain efficient against strains’ evolution.
• MCFAs and others additives: These support gut health and reduce pathogen colonization, but are most effective when combined with other measures.
• Functional fiber fractions: Innovative fibers that trap and flush out pathogens like E. coli. Strainindependent and non-antibiotic, they offer preventive support during high-risk phases like weaning.

References available on request