Abstract

Fermentable fiber supplementation in pigs promotes anti-parasitic defense mechanisms and impacts parasite growth in Ascaris suum infection

Hofler, P. Schlosser-Brandenburg, J. Kundik, A. Rausch, S. Saliu, E. M. Oser, L. Kuhl, A. A. Mugo, R. M. Laubschat, A. Kidiavai, Z. M. Midha, A. Klopfleisch, R. Zentek, J. Hartmann, S.
Front Immunol. 2026; 171788681

Permanent descriptor

https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1788681

Ascarids are among the most prevalent soil-transmitted helminths affecting both humans and livestock, particularly pigs. While reduced anthelmintic efficacy has been reported in humans, frequent reinfection and the lack of a vaccine highlight the need for alternative control strategies across species. In pigs, fermentable dietary fibers have been shown to enhance type 2 immune responses and mucosal barrier function and may represent a complementary strategy for parasite control. Here, we investigated the effects of a fermentable fiber diet in pigs infected with the parasite Ascaris suum (A. suum). Weaned pigs were fed either a diet enriched with fermentable fibers (HFD) or a control diet low in fermentable fibers (LFD). Four weeks after initiating supplementation, pigs were infected with A. suum eggs and maintained on the respective diets for an additional five weeks. HFD supplementation did not affect worm burden but significantly reduced worm size. This was associated with enhanced systemic and mucosal type 2 immune responses. Small intestinal Th2 responses, goblet cell expansion and the production of the anti-helminth effector molecules Arg1 and RELM-beta were increased, along with elevated peripheral eosinophil counts. Hence, dietary supplementation with HFD promoted innate and adaptive Th2 responses in A. suum infected pigs leading to impaired parasite development. These findings suggest that fermentable dietary fibers such as inulin and sugar beet pulp can influence infection dynamics at both the host and parasite levels.