POSTWEANING ESCHERICHIA COLI DIARRHOEA AND OEDEMA DISEASE.

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Causative Agent(s)

Post weaning Escherichia coli Diarrhoea (PWD) and Oedema Disease are caused by strains of E. coli that possess adhesion factors enabling the bacteria to colonize the small intestine and elaborate one or several protein endotoxins.

Oedema Disease is caused by certain Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, known as ETEC.

Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology

Both diseases could occur as outbreaks.

The bacterium colonizes the small intestine and elaborates toxins which enters the bloodstream and damages vessel walls resulting in haemorrhages and oedema of targeted tissues.

The disease can appear with sudden death without prior signs of illness and may disappear or recur. Severe cases may be varied including with nervous manifestations in severe cases where the pigs display ataxia, paralysis, and recumbency. When ED occurs it generally appear soon after weaning, with edema seen in around the eyes, swelling of the forehead and submandibular regions, dyspnea, and anorexia. During postmortem edema is seen across the gastrointestinal tract with or without haemorrhages.

Diagnostic Considerations

Sudden death in recently weaned pigs is highly suggestive. Clinical examination may reveal widespread edema.

Isolation by culture of hemolytic E. coli from the intestines.

PCR identification of toxin production genes in E. coli isolates is confirmatory.

Management and Treatment

Avoid stress in management and the use of antimicrobial feed additives that could select and favour colonization by pathogenic E. coli. Improving biosecurity overall reduces rates of infection and duration of outbreaks. Reducing soy in diet is helpful. The disease can be prevented by immunopropylaxis with a live attenuated or subunit E. coli vaccine where available. Prebiotics, symbiotics and probiotics have all shown promise in improving gut health and reducing colonization with E. coli and occurrence of the disease.