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-). Transmission of F4+ E. coli was quantified in four heterogeneous groups of F4R+ and F4R- 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- piglets, but F4R+ and F4R- piglets were not different in infectiousness. The reproduction ratios for homogeneous F4R+ and F4R- 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.
Geenen
P L
PL
Infectious Diseases, Animal Sciences Group, Lelystad, The Netherlands. petrag@cs.uu.nl
Döpfer
D
D
Van der Meulen
J
J
De Jong
M C M
MC
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins