Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi especially those belonging to the genus Aspergillus, Penicillum and Fusarium. Mycotoxin contamination can occur in all agricultural commodities in the field and/or during storage, if conditions are favourable to fungal growth. Regarding animal feed, five mycotoxins (aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisins and ochratoxin A) are covered by EU legislation (regulation or recommendation). Transgressions of these limits are rarely observed in official monitoring programs. However, low level contamination by Fusarium toxins is very common (e.g., deoxynivalenol (DON) is typically found in more than 50% of the samples) and co-contamination is frequently observed. Multi-mycotoxin studies reported 75%–100% of the samples to contain more than one mycotoxin which could impact animal health at already low doses. Co-occurrence of mycotoxins is likely to arise for at least three different reasons (i) most fungi are able to simultaneously produce a number of mycotoxins, (ii) commodities can be contaminated by several fungi, and (iii) completed feed is made from various commodities. In the present paper, we reviewed the data published since 2004 concerning the contamination of animal feed with single or combinations of mycotoxins and highlighted the occurrence of these co-contaminations.

Aims This study evaluated the efficacy of a probiotic containing Bacillus toyonensis spores (Toyocerin^®) in postweaning piglets against enteric pathogens. Methods and Results Seven hundred and ninety‐two healthy weaning pigs of a commercial farrow‐to‐finish pig farm were used. The negative control group fed without Toyocerin^® and two experimental groups fed similar to the negative control group, but supplemented with Toyocerin^® at t 500 mg kg⁻¹ diet (Toyocerin 500 group) and 1000 mg kg⁻¹ diet (Toyocerin 1000 group), respectively. No significant difference (P > 0·05) in morbidity and mortality rate between groups was noticed. The Toyocerin groups showed higher body weight (P < 0·05) and lower feed conversion ratio compared to the negative control group. Diarrhoea score was less in both Toyocerin groups than negative control group (P < 0·05). Moreover, the use of Toyocerin^® at 1000 mg kg⁻¹ diet resulted in higher average daily feed intake compared to other groups (P < 0·05), reduction of some enteric pathogens and increase of the number of lactic acid bacteria. Conclusions The use of Toyocerin^® in weaning pigs, especially at 1000 mg kg⁻¹ diet, improved their health and growth performance. Significance and Impact of the Study This study shows that a feed additive containing B. toyonensis (Toyocerin^®) protects against enteric pathogens in postweaning piglets when fed this additive at a proper dose. The use of Toyocerin^® at 1000 mg kg⁻¹ diet resulted in higher average daily feed intake, decrease of some enteric pathogens and higher number of lactic acid bacteria. The effect of the probiotic in other age groups remains to be established.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a probiotic containing Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores (Toyocerin) and benzoic acid (VevoVitall) on growth performance and diarrhoea in weaning pigs, against negative controls. The trial groups were as follows: (a) NC group (Negative Controls): No treatment (b) TOYO group: Same feed as in the controls plus Toyocerin at a dose of 1 x 10(9) Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores/kg feed, (c) BA group: Same feed as in the controls plus VevoVitall at a dose of 5 g/kg feed (5000 ppm benzoic acid) and (d) TOYO+BA group: Same feed as in the controls plus Toyocerin at a dose of 1 x 10(9) Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores and VevoVitall at a dose of 5 g/kg feed. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that administration of Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores at 1 x 10(9)/kg feed or benzoic acid at a dose of 5000 ppm or the combination of 1 x 10(9) Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores and 5000 ppm of benzoic acid/kg feed, improved the growth performance parameters and reduced the severity of diarrhoea in weaning pigs.

Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile is ubiquitous in the environment and is also considered as a bacterium of great importance in diarrhea-associated disease for humans and different animal species. Food animals and household pets are frequently found positive for toxigenic C. difficile without exposing clinical signs of infection. Humans and animals share common C. difficile ribotypes (RTs) suggesting potential zoonotic transmission. However, the role of animals for the development of human infection due to C. difficile remains unclear. One major public health issue is the existence of asymptomatic animals that carry and shed the bacterium to the environment, and infect individuals or populations, directly or through the food chain. C. difficile ribotype 078 is frequently isolated from food animals and household pets as well as from their environment. Nevertheless, direct evidence for the transmission of this particular ribotype from animals to humans has never been established. This review will summarize the current available data on epidemiology, clinical presentations, risk factors and laboratory diagnosis of C. difficile infection in food animals and household pets, outline potential prevention and control strategies, and also describe the current evidence towards a zoonotic potential of C. difficile infection.