Two probiotics were tested as alternative treatment to limit the prevalence of the vertebral column compression syndrome (VCCS) in rainbow trout, compared with a preventive treatment with florfenicol. Either the antibiotic, or a lactic acid bacterium, Pediococcus acidilactici, or a yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, was introduced into experimental diets, which were compared with the control diet without supplementation. The antibiotic caused some mortality during the first week after treatment, likely because of the toxicity of the compound. However, this antibiotic treatment limited the occurrence of VCCS to 3%, vs. 13% of fish affected in the control group. Pediococcus acidilactici provided the same level of protection as the antibiotic,... |