Observations on the association of pathogenic Escherichia coli with small intestinal villi of pigs.
Pathogenic Escherichia coli were observed in association with microvilli of piglets experimentally infected with E coli O149:K91,K88a,c, but the bacteria were only rarely observed actually in contact with microvilli. The association of E coli with villi occurred most commonly in the ileum and least commonly in the duodenum: in some pigs, it was only observed in the ileum. The proliferation of pathogenic E coli in the small intestine and their association with villi commonly coexisted, although each phenomenon was also observed independently. It is suggested that the villous association of pathogenic E coli is not a prerequisite for their proliferation.
D000818:Animals; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*