Prevotella in Pigs: The Positive and Negative Associations with Production and Health

Abstract

A diverse and dynamic microbial community (known as microbiota) resides within the pig gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The microbiota contributes to host health and performance by mediating nutrient metabolism, stimulating the immune system, and providing colonization resistance against pathogens. Manipulation of gut microbiota to enhance growth performance and disease resilience in pigs has recently become an active area of research in an era defined by increasing scrutiny of antimicrobial use in swine production. In order to develop microbiota-targeted strategies, or to identify potential next-generation probiotic strains originating from the endogenous members of GIT microbiota in pigs, it is necessary to understand the role of key commensal members in host health. Many, though not all, correlative studies have associated members of the genus Prevotella with positive outcomes in pig production, including growth performance and immune response; therefore, a comprehensive review of the genus in the context of pig production is needed. In the present review, we summarize the current state of knowledge about the genus Prevotella in the intestinal microbial community of pigs, including relevant information from other animal species that provide mechanistic insights, and identify gaps in knowledge that must be addressed before development of Prevotella species as next-generation probiotics can be supported.

Keywords: Prevotella; animal production and health; gut microbial ecology; immune system; microbiota; pig.

Figure 1

Schematic overview of the factors influencing the microbiota in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of pig and the changes in relative abundance of Prevotella at different stage of pig growth, as well a hypothetical roles of Prevotrella spp. in mediating animal performance and health. The relative abundance of Prevotella spp. is influenced by many factors that shape gut microbiota. Under the symbiotic relationship with the host, gut microbiota mediates feed efficiency, immune system development, and host health in pigs. As a principal genus of the gut microbiota, Prevotella spp. are major contributors to host physiology. There are more than a dozen different species within the genus Prevotella present in the pig GIT, and their abundance changes with growth stage.