Abstract
Diarrhoeal diseases in piglets caused by Escherichia coli are responsible for substantial losses each year in the Australian pig industry. A cross-sectional survey was conducted (September 2013–May 2014) across 22 commercial pig herds located in southeastern Australia: NSW (n = 9); VIC (n = 10); and SA (n = 3), to estimate the prevalence of E. coli associated diarrhoea in pre- and post-weaned piglets and to identify key risk factors associated with E. coli disease. A questionnaire on management and husbandry practices was included. Faecal samples (n = 50 from each herd) were tested for the presence of β-haemolytic E. coli. Species level identification was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS). ETEC virulence and enterotoxin genes (F4, F5, F6, F18, F41, STa, STb and LT) were screened for by multiplex PCR. This study assessed 60 potential risk factors for E. coli disease in post-weaned piglets, with 2 key factors–recent disease events and the presence of bedding, statistically associated with the presence of post-weaning scours. The prevalence of diarrhea in pre-weaned pens was 17% (16/93), compared with 24% (24/102) in post-weaned pens. The most prevalent β-haemolytic ETEC genes were F18 (32%) and STb (32%) but isolates were more likely to contain F4:STb (11 of 22 herds, 23%), than F18:STb (5 of 22 herds, 6%). These findings indicate that recent disease events that have occurred within the last 12 months, and by the use of bedding or not maintaining fresh bedding can have significant impacts on piglet diarrhoea.
Highlights
Post-weaning diarrhoea caused by Escherichia coli remains a major disease that limits production in pig farms worldwide
enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) colonise the lower intestine via these fimbrial adhesins and the production of enterotoxins results in diarrhoea ("scouring") that can lead to death if left untreated
It has been estimated that piglet scours cost the Australian pig industry more than $7 million each year [9] but there are scant information regarding the epidemiology of E. coli disease in modern pig production systems in Australia, or of management practices that contribute to or ameliorate disease outbreaks
Summary
Post-weaning diarrhoea caused by Escherichia coli remains a major disease that limits production in pig farms worldwide. Pre- and post-weaning piglet scours caused by Escherichia coli severe disease in piglets [3, 4]. ETEC colonise the lower intestine via these fimbrial adhesins and the production of enterotoxins results in diarrhoea ("scouring") that can lead to death if left untreated. Australian pig herds regularly experience outbreaks of pre- and post-weaning diarrhoea attributed to E. coli, resulting in reduced growth rates, high medication costs and high morbidity and mortality [4]. A longitudinal study on Western Australian pig herds [6, 7] assessing a comprehensive French risk factor protocol developed by Madec [8], failed to identify reliable risk predictors of post-weaning diarrhoea. It has been estimated that piglet scours cost the Australian pig industry more than $7 million each year [9] but there are scant information regarding the epidemiology of E. coli disease in modern pig production systems in Australia, or of management practices that contribute to or ameliorate disease outbreaks
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
