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Title: PRESENCE OF F18AC (2134P) FIMBRIAE ON 4P**- ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATES FROM WEANED PIGS WITH DIARRHEA

Author
item Nystrom, Evelyn
item BURKHARDT, DOUG - AMBICO, DALLAS CENTER, IA
item Bosworth, Brad
item WELTER, MARK - AMBICO, DALLAS CENTER, IA

Submitted to: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/26/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Diarrhea is of major economic significance to the swine industry. Bacteria called Escherichia coli that produce toxins called enterotoxins commonly cause diarrhea in weaned pigs. In order to cause diarrhea these bacteria must be able to stick to the surface of the small intestine. Fimbriae are small filaments on the bacteria that promote this binding. Vaccines directed against fimbriae can prevent bacterial binding and disease. A new fimbria called F18ac has recently been found on some E. coli from weaned pigs with diarrhea. We found F18ac on 55% (21 out of 38) of selected E. coli strains that were isolated between 1988 and 1994 from weaned pigs with diarrhea. We conclude that F18ac is an important structure that identifies E. coli that cause diarrhea in weaned pigs. This finding indicates that F18ac antigens should be included in vaccines for preventing postweaning diarrhea in weaned pigs. Production and use of such vaccines that promote economic production of healthy wholesome swine will benefit farmers and consumers.

Technical Abstract: Fimbriae (pili) of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), including K88, K99, 987P and F41, are adhesins that facilitate intestinal colonization in neonatal pigs. K88 is also associated with some ETEC isolated from weaned pigs with diarrhea. Many ETEC isolates from weaned pigs do not express known adhesins and are termed 4P-. F18ac (previous names include 2134P, 8813 and AV24) and F18ab (F107) fimbriae have recently been identified on ETEC isolates from weaned pigs with diarrhea. The prevalence of F18ab and F18ac is not known. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of F18ac fimbriae on selected 4P- E. coli isolates from weaned pigs with diarrhea thaat were collected by Ambico, Inc., between 1988 and 1994. Thirty-five of 38 isolates hybridized with the F107 FedA probe, indicating that these strains were either F18ab or F18ac. Fifty-five percent reacted with F18ac-specific monoclonal antibody Mab 6C7/C1 on immunoassay (ELISA or dot blot), indicating these strains expressed F18ac in vitro. We conclude that F18ac fimbriae are common on 4P- strains of ETEC isolated from weaned pigs with diarrhea.