Reduction in the incidence and recurrence of diarrhea in multibreed kids supplemented with Bacillus subtilis PB6 in Northern Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation (Bacillus subtilis PB6) on weight gain, as well as the incidence and recurrence of diarrhea and pneumonia in multibreed kids in northern Mexico.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was conducted in Ejido Corona, Municipality of Matamoros, Coahuila (northern Mexico). The experiment lasted 25 days in October 2022. Ninety-nine kids were randomly assigned to two homogeneous groups based on body weight (BW; 3.7 ± 0.2 kg). The control group (CG; n = 50) received 5 mL of milk per kid per day. The treated group (TG; n = 49) received 5 mL of milk per kid per day supplemented with 1 g/kg BW of Bacillus subtilis PB6. Administration was performed daily at 12:00 p.m. The probiotic dose was adjusted every five days, coinciding with body weight measurements.

Results: No significant difference was observed in final BW (p > .05; 7.7 ± 0.1 kg vs. 7.4 ± 0.2 kg for TG and CG, respectively). A significant difference was found in diarrhea incidence (p < .05; 28% vs. 50% for TG and CG, respectively), as well as in diarrhea recurrence (p < .05; 29% vs. 48% for TG and CG, respectively). These findings indicate that supplementation with Bacillus subtilis PB6 reduced the incidence and recurrence of diarrhea and may have contributed to the prevention of pneumonia.

Limitations/Implications: A longer supplementation period may be required to observe significant effects on body weight in kids.

Findings/Conclusions: Probiotic supplementation with Bacillus subtilis PB6 improved health outcomes by reducing diarrheal incidence and recurrence in multibreed kids raised under semi-arid conditions in northern Mexico.