Bonus Tydskrif SPRING SUMMER 2024 FINAL

in the swine industry and it mostly causes illness and death in neonatal and recently weaned pigs. Post-weaning diarrhoea, which is commonly associated with enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), is one of the most widespread porcine diseases, responsible for significant economic losses worldwide. Colibacillosis, or E. Coli infection is one of the major diseases in the swine industry and it mostly causes illness and death in neonatal and recently weaned pigs. Post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) which is commonly associat d with enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), is one of the most wi espread porcine diseas s, responsibl for significant eco omic losses worldwide. How does it work? E. coli can cause disease through three main mechanisms: toxin production, invasion of tissues and cells, and spreading systemically. Certain strains of E. coli produce toxins that damage the lining of the intestines. The E. coli bacteria can invade and multiply within tissues of the intestinal tract, causing localized infection and disrupting normal gut function. Both mechanisms will lead to diarrhoea and dehydration. In more severe cases, E. coli can enter the bloodstream and spread to organs and cause septicemia. Septicemia will result in symptoms such as lethargy, fever, poor appetite and growth, organ failure and death. Type of colibacillosis Signs and symptoms Period Neonatal diarrhoea White/yellow/brown manure. Diarrhoea will appear 2-3 hours later after E. coli infection. Individual piglets or entire litter can be affected. Results in severe dehydration and high piglet mortality in the first few days of life. First 4 days after farrowing Pre-weaning diarrhoea Grey/white diarrhoea. Piglets become hairy and emaciated. Poor quality creep feed and piglets fed milk replacer can be affected more easily. The first week after farrowing to weaning Post-weaning diarrhoea Watery yellow or grey/brown projectile diarrhoea. Piglets become susceptible to infections of E. coli from the farm environment after weaning. Results in severe dehydration, poor growth and possible high mortality rates. The first few days after weaning Edema disease Characterized by sudden death or neurological signs (ataxia and tremors), in older and growing piglets. Highly fatal and caused by specific E. coli strains that produce toxins. 5 days to 2 weeks after weaning Septicemia E. coli can also cause systemic infections in piglets, leading to septicemia. This will result in fever, depression and even rapid/ sudden death. Varies Figure 1: Schematic illustration of the pathogenesis of post-weaning diar- rhoea in piglets. (ETEC: Enterotoxigenic E.coli) Type of colibacillosis Signs and symptoms Period White/yellow/brown manure. Diarrhoea will appear 2-3 hours later after E. coli infection. Individual piglets or entire litt r can b aff cted. Re ults in s vere dehydration and high piglet mortal ty in the first few days of life. r y/ it i rr . iglets bec iry ci ted. r li l il affected more easily. Watery yellow or grey/brown projectile diarrhoea. Piglets become usceptible to infections of E. coli from the farm environment after wea ing. Results in s r r tio , poor growth and possible high mortality rates. Characterised by sudden death or neurological signs (ataxia and tremors) in older and growing piglets. Highly fatal and caused by specific E. coli strains that produce toxins. t i i i l t ti aemia. This will result in fever, ressi , and even rapid/ sudden death. First four days after farrowing The first eek after farro ing to weaning fir t f aft r i Five two weeks after i i Neonatal diarrhoea Pre-weaning diarrhoea Post-weaning diarrhoea Edema disease Septicaemia Maternity Nursery environment Ingestion of ETEC 1. Colonisation of jejunum and ileum 2. Water and electrolytes 3. Diarrhoea Weight los, Death 4. E. coli with fimbriae Toxin Receptor Epithelial cell Figure 1: Schematic illustration of the pathogenesis of post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets. (ETEC: enterotoxigenic E.coli ) How does it work? E. coli can cause disease through three main mechanisms: toxin production, invasion of tissues and cells, and spreading systemically. Certain strains of E. coli produce toxins that damage the lining of the intestines. E. coli bacteria can invade and multiply within tissues of the intestinal tract, causing localised infection d disrupting normal gut function. Both mechani ms will ea to diarrhoea a d dehydration. In more severe cases, E. coli can enter the bloodstream and spread to organs and cause septicaemia. Septicaemia will result in symptoms such as lethargy, fever, poor appetite and growth, organ failure, and death. Addressing E. coli on farm As the saying goes, ‘A good start is half he battle’. To ensure the health of piglets, www.agribonus.co.za Spring/Summer 2024 BONUS 17