Polyserositis and arthritis due to Escherichia coli in gnotobiotic pigs.
Forty gnotobiotic pigs from six litters were exposed orally to Escherichia coli 083:K.:NM at 69 to 148 hours of age, while 17 pigs from the same litters served as unexposed controls. Clinical signs of infection included fever, anorexia, diarrhea, lameness, and reluctance to move.Eighty-four percent of the exposed pigs in four litters died, while only 13% in two litters died. Gross and microscopic lesions included serofibrinous to fibrinopurulent polyserositis in 96% of the exposed pigs in four litters and 33% of the exposed pigs in two litters. A few pigs had gross and/or microscopic lesions of arthritis. Escherichia coli was routinely isolated from the serous and synovial cavities of infected pigs.Anti-hog cholera serum administered orally as a colostrum substitute gave partial protection against E. coli infection.
D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006691:Classical Swine Fever / Q000276:immunology; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D007106:Immune Sera; D008722:Methods; D012700:Serositis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases
D007106:Immune Sera