Dr. Emma Helm: Lawsonia & Pig Microbiota | Ep. 201

Dr. Emma Helm: Lawsonia & Pig Microbiota | Ep. 201

March 18, 2026 · 12 min · Season 3 · Episode 201

About this episode

Dr. Emma Helm discusses the impact of Lawsonia intracellularis on swine gut microbiota and metabolism.

In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Emma Helm, Research Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech, explains how Lawsonia intracellularis infection alters the swine gut microbiota and microbial metabolism. She shares findings on microbial shifts, nucleotide synthesis, amino acid biosynthesis, and impacts on feed efficiency. Learn practical insights on biomarkers, nutrition strategies, and vaccination programs. Listen now on all major platforms! "If a pig does not have any resident microbiota, classic colitis induced by Lawsonia intracellularis cannot develop, showing a required interaction with the resident microbiota." Meet the guest: Dr. Emma Helm https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-helm15/ is a Research Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech. She earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Iowa State University, focusing on swine intestinal integrity, function, and skeletal muscle metabolism during pathogenic challenges. Her research explores biological mechanisms that define swine physiology, especially intestinal development and stress responses. Click here to read the full research article: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-025-00501-0 Liked this one? Don’t…

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