Development of Post‐weaning Diarrhoea in Piglets. Relation to Presence of Escherichia coli Strains and Rotavirus

Abstract

Weaning of piglets complicated with an exposure to pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli was scrutinized in two sets. The first set comprised 20 animals representing two litters and the second set included 30 animals from five litters. The piglets were either left as controls or exposed to one or three pathogenic strains of E. coli. Aiming to simulate a natural exposure the challenge strains were spread on the floor of the pens at weaning. In addition the pigs experienced several non-infectious stress factors commonly occurring at that occasion. Some groups were given adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), aiming to simulate a stressful weaning. The balance and the composition of the faecal coliform populations, measured by a metabolic fingerprinting method, was disturbed among all animals following weaning. This disturbance was more pronounced and lasted longer among piglets exposed to pathogenic strains of E. coli. All piglets exposed to pathogenic E. coli shed these strains in faeces. Diarrhoea was induced in the groups exposed to E. coli, but not among the control animals. Pigs not treated with ACTH and subjected to a single pathogenic strain of E. coli became infected but did not develop diarrhoea unless if coinciding with shed of rotavirus. Control pigs excreting rotavirus had no diarrhoea. Diarrhoea was most frequent in the groups exposed to three pathogenic strains of E. coli, and in these groups diarrhoea was seen in the absence of rotavirus. ACTH administration amplified the clinical signs. The litter of origin influenced the development of post-weaning diarrhoea.

Dietary bacteriophages as an alternative for zinc oxide or organic acids to control diarrhoea and improve the performance of weanling piglets

“…The decrease of diarrhoea in response to BA treatment might be due to the use of E. coli phage in the BA cocktail as previously, Jamalludeen et al (2009) suggested that inclusion of phages could prevent E. coli-induced diarrhoea in weaned pigs. E. coli is recognised as a common pathogen associated with post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets (Melin et al 2004). Clostridium spp.…”

Effect of benzoic acid and combination of benzoic acid with a probiotic containing Bacillus Cereus var. toyoi in weaned pig nutrition

“…Further-more and Green 2006). The influence of weaning stressors is often required to initiate the development of enteric diseases, suggesting that stress plays a critical role in disease susceptibility (Melin et al 2004). One reported deleterious effect of weaning is the breakdown of intestinal barrier function (Boudry et al 2004), which is characterized by increased intestinal permeability, that allows antigenic agents (e.g., bacteria, toxins) to "leak" across the epithelium and gain access to subepithelial tissues, resulting in inflammation, malabsorption, diarrhoea, and potentially systemic disease (Berkes et al 2003).…”

The effect of kaolin feeding on efficiency, health status and course of diarrhoeal infections caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains in weaned piglets

“…Infections which cause diarrhoea in weaned piglets are one of the most common causes of serious economic loss in swine herds (Madej et al, 1999;Hedemann and Jensen, 2004;Melin et al, 2004). Among pathogens, Escherichia coli infections caused by enterotoxinogenic strains of E. coli (ETEC) are found most frequently (Alexa et al, 1995(Alexa et al, , 2001Bertschinger, 1999;Melin et al, 2004).…”

“…Among pathogens, Escherichia coli infections caused by enterotoxinogenic strains of E. coli (ETEC) are found most frequently (Alexa et al, 1995(Alexa et al, , 2001Bertschinger, 1999;Melin et al, 2004). Until recently antibiotic treatment and vaccination were primarily used to prevent enteric diseases in piglets.…”