EN
The investigations were carried out on suckling piglets, naturally infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. Starting from the 3rd day, two experimental groups were given intragastrically Lactobacillus acidophilus culture (1 x 10⁸ cells) or Bifidobacterium sp. culture (1 x 10⁸ cells) per day. Cryptosporidium was present in the stomach, microvillus brush border of the jejunum, ileum and colon. These findings were associated with severe atrophy of the villi and mild lymphoid infiltration in the lamina propria. Haematological and biochemical tests in piglets showed significant differences including a reduced haemoglobin level, a decrease in the erythrocyte count, an increase in the haematocrit value, leukocyte count, total protein value and in alkaline phosphates and LDH activity. Bacterial flora was less abundant in piglets receiving Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium; no haemolytic E.coli rods were isolated. After daily administration of the bacteria, the diarrhoea was moderate, lasting up to 2 days, and the number of oocysts in faeces was significantly lower. This suggests that Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium sp. may help to control C. parvum infection in new-born piglets.