Abstract
We investigated the distribution of Vero toxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) and the incidence of pathogenesis-related factors in swine feces.The rectal content was collected from 100 macroscopically healthy pigs brought to a slaughterhouse between November 26 and December 24 in 1999. The samples were cultured in TSB medium. The Vero toxin (VT) gene was investigated by PCR, and VTEC was isolated from the VT gene-positive samples. Other pathogenesis-related factors were also investigated in the isolated VTEC.Of 100 swine fecal samples examined, 64 samples were judged positive for VT gene by PCR screening, and 27 VTEC isolates were obtained from 25 animals.On examination after the animals were slaughtered, hemorrhagic colitis was observed in two of 25 VTEC-positive animals, but no animal showed typical features of swine edema disease. The remaining pigs showed non-diarrheal symptoms or were asymptomatic. The ratio of animals showing these pathological features was not different from that in the VTnegative pigs.VT2vp1 was the most frequent VT type, detected in 22 (81%) of 27 isolates. VT1 was the second frequent type, detected in 4 (15%). Approximately 70% of the VT2vp1-producing strains produced STIa, which is associated with diarrhea in humans. A strain carrying the eaeA gene was also isolated. It should not be neglected as a public health problem.
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