Several enteropathogens are circulating in suckling and newly weaned piglets suffering from diarrhea in the province of Villa Clara, Cuba

Abstract

Intestinal contents of suckling (n = 45) and newly weaned (n = 45) piglets, suffering from diarrhea in the province of Villa Clara in Cuba, were tested for viral, bacterial, and parasitic enteropathogens from May to June 2008. At least one enteropathogen was identified in 53.3 % of piglets and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC; 25.6 %) was the major pathogen; mostly STa(+)/STb(+) or F4(+)/STa(+)/STb(+) ETEC were isolated. The overall occurrence of the rest of pathogens was 10 % for transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and Cryptosporidium parvum, 6.7 % for rotavirus A and Isospora suis, 5.6 % for α-toxigenic Clostridium perfringens, 3.3 % for verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC), and 2.2 % for Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Newport. TGEV and α-toxigenic C. perfringens were only identified in suckling piglets, while Salmonella Newport and VTEC were only detected in weaned pigs. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), β-toxigenic C. perfringens, Eimeria spp., and helminths were not identified. Eight kinds of mixed infections were detected in 25 % of enteropathogen positive piglets. ETEC was present in 10 of 12 mixed infections, and TGEV infections were never combined. This survey demonstrates that several enteropathogens are circulating in piggeries located in the province of Villa Clara in Cuba, and that is necessary to improve surveillance, prevention, and control of enteric infections in order to increase production efficiency.

Case–control study of pathogens involved in piglet diarrhea

“…A significant difference was again observed between case (53.49 %) and control (31.11 %) groups (p = 0.034). The ability of C. suis to cause diarrhea in piglets is well documented [ 41 , 42 ], as is its frequency of infection in young piglets: 17.3 % in the Republic of Korea [ 43 ], 53.8 % in Germany [ 44 ], 31.6 % in Brazil [ 14 ], 6.3 % in Canada [ 26 ], and 8.9 % in Cuba [ 45 ]. Our results differ from those of another study that was recently published in Brazil in which no statistical difference between case and control groups was found [ 15 ].…”

Reflection of serum immunoglobulin isotypes in the egg yolk of laying hens immunized with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

“…Enteric infection in newborn farm animals causes significant economic loss to the milk and meat industry. During the first few days of life, piglets are susceptible to a wide variety of enteric infection among which enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), either alone or in combination with other enteric pathogens, causes significantly high morbidity and mortality [1,2]. Treatment with antibiotic and passive protection with homologous (e.g., colostrum of dam immunized against specific agents) and heterologous antibodies (e.g., egg yolk, colostrum of other species etc.)…”

Characterization of fungal microbial diversity in healthy and diarrheal Tibetan piglets

“…and/or non-infectious origin (e.g. intestinal dysfunction) in early-weaned piglets [ 7 ]. Intestines are one of the major organs for feed digestion and absorption, where gut microbiota plays an important role in maintaining the physiology [ 8 ].…”