Transmission of F4+ E. coli in groups of early weaned piglets

The aim of this study was to estimate transmission parameters of enterotoxigenic F4+ Escherichia coli F4 (F4+ E. coli) in groups of early weaned piglets with F4-receptor-positive (F4R+) and F4-receptor-negative piglets (F4R[minus sign]). Transmission of F4+ E. coli was quantified in four heterogeneous groups of F4R+ and F4R[minus sign] piglets. Infectiousness was determined by the number of F4+ E. coli/g faeces shed during 8 days. Transmission parameters were estimated using generalized linear models assuming a stochastic SIR model. F4R+ piglets were found to be more susceptible than F4R[minus sign] piglets, but F4R+ and F4R[minus sign] piglets were not different in infectiousness. The reproduction ratios for homogeneous F4R+ and F4R[minus sign] populations were estimated as 6·37 (95% CI 1·89¿21·48) and 0·02 (95% CI 0·00¿1·13) respectively. The implication of these results is that in order to prevent major outbreaks, the fraction of F4R+ piglets should be small (approximately 10% or less). Therefore, selective breeding programmes could contribute to reducing F4+ E. coli-related diarrhoea and transmission.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Geenen, P.L., Döpfer, D., van der Meulen, J., de Jong, M.C.M.
Format:	Article/Letter to editor biblioteca
Language:	English
Subjects:	adhesion, brush-borders, diseases, fimbriae, intestinal receptor, k88, phenotypes, pigs, postweaning diarrhea, prevalence,
Online Access:	https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/transmission-of-f4-e-coli-in-groups-of-early-weaned-piglets
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