Abstract
Eighty-eight enterotoxigenic E.coli strains isolated from 69 pigs with enteric infections (diarrhoea or oedema disease) were investigated for the presence of F4 (K88), F5 (K99), F6 (987P) and F41 colonization antigens. The commonest colonization antigen was F6 (987P), which was detected in ETEC strains from 31.9% pigs, followed by F5 (K99) 11.6%, F4 (K88) 10.1% and F41 8.7%. Presence of F6 (987P) and F5 (K99) fimbriae was statistically associated (0.025 > p < 0.005) with diarrhoeic piglets younger than 15 days. F4 (K88) colonization antigen was only expressed by ETEC isolated from piglets older than 15 days. 90.5% of ETEC isolated from 90.0% of piglets younger than 15 days expressed F5 (K99), F6 (987P) or F41 antigens, whereas only 31.3% ETEC isolates from piglets older than 15 days were positive for F4 (K88), F5 (K99), F6 (987P) or F41 antigens ( p < 0.001). None of the ETEC from pigs with oedema disease produced any of the four colonization antigens. ETEC bearing colonization antigens were associated with particular serogroups and toxic phenotypes, whereas 4P − ETEC strains showed diverse phenotypic characteristics.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
