Serotypes of Escherichia coli strains isolated from piglets with diarrhea in swine industrial farms.
Serotypes of E. coli strains isolated from piglets, which died with symptoms of diarrhea in 9 swine industrial farms, were determined. Large numbers of serotypes (from 16 to 27) in individual farms were detected. The sets of serotypes from 9 investigated farms differed among each other significantly, depending on the farm and time of examination. It was found that more than one serotype of E. coli may exist in the pig body and contribute to the development of disease. The predominant serotypes, i.e. those comprising more than 10% of serologically determined strains, were found to exist in 6 of the investigated farms and not in the remaining ones. Among the predominant serotypes, particularly important seem to be strains with K88 antigen. For prophylaxis of piglet colibacteriosis in industrial farms in Poland two vaccines for sows are recommended: one containing the K88 antigen only and the other the following serotypes: 0149:K91,K88; 020:K57; 020:K83; O157:K88; 01:K1; 0136:K78; 024:K?; 078:K80 and 0118:K? Strains belonging to these serotypes were the most prevalent in our strain collection.
D000818:Animals; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012703:Serotyping; D013552:Swine / Q000382:microbiology; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary