ASSESSING THE MICROBIOME AS A TOOL FOR THE MITIGATION OF VIRAL DISEASE IN NURSERY PIGS

Project goals are centered on investigating microbiome modulation as a potential tool for mitigating the effects ofpolymicrobial respiratory disease on growing pigs. The major outcome of this project is to understand what gut microbesprovide improved outcomes in pigs using a model of porcine respiratory disease complex. Overall, project outcomes includeidentifying gut microbes for improving the health and welfare of pigs with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome(PRRS) and a potential alternative tool for mitigating the effects of respiratory disease in swine. Objectives includedetermining the effects of microbiome modulation on outcome of pigs following co-infection with PRRS virus and porcinecircovirus type 2. We will compare clinical disease, mortality, virus replication, growth performance, pathology, antibodyproduction, cytokine expression, and microbiome characteristics with unmodulated co-infected controls. Gut microbesassociated with beneficial outcomes will be identified.