Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection in pigs and its diagnosis

Abstract

7 5 1 O c a 8 1 F b T S , a T S ± e 2 x t S + o N s e Y Table 1: Characteristics of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains associated with infections in pigs of various ages1 Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major cause of illness and death in neonatal and recently weaned pigs. However, pigs older than approximately 8 weeks appear to be resistant to infection. Strains of ETEC that cause diarrhea in pigs possess two types of virulence factors, adhesins and enterotoxins, both of which are essential for disease to occur.