断奶仔猪源大肠杆菌F18菌毛的分子流行病学研究

利用F18菌毛a因子单克降抗体以及已建立的鉴定F18菌毛及其亚型的双重PCR法,对来自断奶仔猪水肿病和／或腹泻病例的60株VTEC、24株VTEC／ETEC以及24株ETEC的进行了F18菌毛检测,以了解F18ab^＋和F18ac^＋大肠杆菌在江苏省断奶仔猪群的分子流行病学。结果表明：通过F18菌毛a因子单克隆抗体,可检测出52株大肠杆菌为F18^＋,检出率为48．15％;而通过双重PCIL方法,共检测出63株大肠杆菌为F18^＋,检出率为58．33％,其中53株（49．07％）为F18ab^＋10株（92．6％）为F18ac^＋。另外还发现：在VTEC、VTEC／ETEC以及ETEC的菌株之间,这2种F18菌毛亚型的分子流行病学是不同的。在VTEC中,F18ab^＋,菌株37株（61．67％）,未发现F18ac^＋菌株;在VTEC／ETEC中,F18ab^＋菌株15株（62．50%）,F18ac^＋菌株8株（33．33％）;而在ETEC中F18ab^＋菌株只有1株（4．17％）,F18ac^＋菌株只有2株（8.33％）。以上数据表明：④PCR法检测F18菌毛优于单抗法;②F18菌毛是VTEC／ETEC、VTEC的重要致病因子,而在ETEC中则明显低于VTEC／ETEC和VTEC;⑧F18ab^＋菌株一般为SLT-IIe^＋,而F8ac^＋菌株一般为STI^＋。     

Replicon typing of F18 fimbriae encoding plasmids of enterotoxigenic and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains from porcine postweaning diarrhoea and oedema disease

The presence of fimbrial adhesin F18 is frequently found in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) strains responsible for diarrhoea and oedema disease of weaned pigs. The F18 adhesin occurs in two antigenic variants: F18ab is characteristic of VTEC while F18ac is more typical for ETEC. F18 encoding plasmids of 17 phenotypically characterized porcine E. coli isolates (10 ETEC, 6 VTEC and 1 ETEC/VTEC) were tested with a DNA probe for F18 fimbrial adhesin and with replicon probes for the RepFIa, RepFIb and for the RepFIc family of basic replicons. In all the cases, the F18 probe hybridized to only one plasmid band of size higher than 42MDa. All F18 plasmids were determined to be unireplicon plasmids belonging to the RepFIc replicon family of the F incompatibility complex. There was no difference between F18ac plasmids of ETEC and F18ab plasmids of VTEC strains in terms of replicon type or subtype. However, the size of F18ab plasmids of the VTEC strains varied between 42 and 98MDa, in contrast to F18ac plasmids of ETEC strains (constantly approximately 98MDa).     

The F18 fimbrial adhesin FedF is highly conserved among F18+Escherichia coli isolates

F18⁺ Escherichia coli cause postweaning diarrhoea and oedema disease in newly weaned piglets. Protection against these diseases can be established by preventing the fimbrial adhesion of these bacteria to the enterocytes of the porcine intestine. To test a vaccine against F18⁺ E. coli consisting of the adhesin of F18 fimbriae, FedF, the conservation of the FedF subunit had to be examined. Therefore, the fedF sequence of 37 F18⁺ E. coli isolates from different countries was determined and compared to the fedF gene of the F18ab reference strain F107/86. The amino acid sequence of the mature FedF from the individual F18⁺ E. coli isolates was 96–100% identical to that from E. coli F107/86, but the overall homology was 90.4%. Hyper variable regions were not found in the FedF sequence. The FedF sequence was conserved over the different countries and between the two antigenic variants, F18ab and F18ac, suggesting that F18ab and F18ac strains have the same receptor. Furthermore, the conserved C-terminal region in the FedF adhesin suggests that the F18 fimbriae, in analogy with type 1 and P pili, are assembled by a donor strand mechanism. In conclusion, the reported conservation of FedF supports the usefulness of the fimbrial adhesin as a subunit vaccine against F18⁺ E. coli infection.     

Rapid identification of virulence genes in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolates associated with diarrhoea in Queensland piggeries

OBJECTIVE: To identify virulence genes in enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC) isolates associated with diarrhoea in neonatal, 1 to 3 week-old and weaned pigs in southeast Queensland. DESIGN: Multiplex PCR and serotyping were applied to E coli isolates obtained over a 5-year period (1998-2002) from cases diagnosed at Toowoomba Veterinary Laboratory. PROCEDURE: A total of 126 isolates from 25 different Queensland piggeries were tested for haemolytic activity on 5% sheep blood agar and by multiplex PCR for the presence of five commonly recognised fimbrial (F4, F5, F6, F41 and F18) and three enterotoxin genes (STa, STb, LT). A subset of 62 representative isolates were serotyped by slide agglutination. For comparative purposes, multiplex PCR was also performed on the DNA of 31 ETEC isolates from 9 serotypes originating from piggeries in southern New South Wales. RESULTS: A total of 113 (89.7%) of the isolates from Queensland possessed ETEC virulence genes, including 14 of 15 isolates from neonatal pigs (93.3%), 18 of 23 isolates from 1 to 3 week old pigs (78.3%) and 81 of 88 isolates from weaned pigs (92.1%). F4:STa:STb:LT (serotype O149) was the most prevalent pathotype in neonatal and 1-3 week old pigs and F4:STa:STb:LT (serotype O149) and F18:STa:STb:LT (serotype O141) were most prevalent in weaned pigs. In comparison, isolates obtained from neonatal pigs from New South Wales belonged to a more diverse range of pathotypes and serotypes. CONCLUSION: Multiplex PCR was a rapid and specific method for detecting the presence of ETEC virulence genes in porcine E coli isolates. For isolates obtained from cases of suspected colibacillosis in Queensland, growth of a heavy pure culture of haemolytic E coli was a sensitive prognostic indicator of the presence of ETEC virulence genes in the isolate. ETEC pathotypes and serotypes remained stable in Queensland piggeries over the five-year study period and appear to have changed little over the last three decades.     

Prevalence of enterotoxigenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> virulence genes from scouring piglets in Zimbabwe

World-wide, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC)-induced diarrhea are economically important for porcine producers. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of toxin and fimbrial genes among E. coli isolated from diarrheic piglets from randomly selected piggeries in Zimbabwe.We used multiplex PCR for screening STa, STb, LT, and Stx-2e toxins. Subsequently F4, F5, F6, F18 and F41 fimbriae genes were screened in toxin positive isolates. Toxin positive strains lacking tested fimbriae genes were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, agglutination and agglutination inhibition tests. Approximately 32% of the 1,984 isolates tested positive for STa, STb, LT or Stx-2e genes. Of these, approximately 81% had F4, F5, F6, F18 or F41 fimbriae genes. The remaining toxin positive strains lacked tested fimbriae genes and appeared to either express F1-like fimbriae, or lacked fimbriae. The data constitute an important framework for implementation of prevention measures, such as using relevant fimbriae-based vaccines against ETEC induced diarrhea or VTEC-induced edema.     

Experimental infection with Escherichia coli O149:F4ac in weaned piglets

The outcome of experimental intestinal infections with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is dependent on several factors. An important factor is adhesion of the challenge strain to the intestinal mucosa. The test for susceptibility towards ETEC adhesion has so far been made by an intestinal adhesion test made after slaughter of piglets. However, in an experimental infection study with the purpose to obtain diarrhoeic piglets, it would be an advantage to test for susceptibility prior to experimentation. The Mucin 4 gene on porcine chromosome 13 has been proposed as a candidate gene for the production of the specific ETEC F4ab/ac receptor, and a DNA marker-based test has been developed to allow genotyping for ETEC F4ab/ac resistance/susceptibility [J?rgensen, C.B., Cirera, S., Archibald, A.L., Anderson, L., Fredholm, M., Edfors-Lilja, I., 2004. Porcine polymorphisms and methods for detecting them. International application published under the patent cooperation treaty (PCT). PCT/DK2003/000807 or WO2004/048606-A2]. The aim of this study was to test an experimental model for ETEC O149:F4ac-induced diarrhoea in piglets, selected for susceptibility towards ETEC O149:F4ac adhesion prior to experimentation using a DNA marker-based test. Sixty-two healthy 25-32 days old recently weaned Danish crossbred piglets were used. All piglets were tested prior to experimentation for susceptibility or resistance towards ETEC O149:F4ac adhesion. Thirty-nine piglets, both susceptible and resistant, were oro-gastric intubated with 10(9)CFU of ETEC O149:F4ac and 23 age-matched piglets, both susceptible and resistant, were used as non-infected controls. Of susceptible piglets, challenged with ETEC O149:F4ac, 74% had ETEC O149:F4ac-associated diarrhoea first day after first challenge, which were significantly higher relatively to the resistant and challenged piglets where 20% had diarrhoea (p=0.04). This study suggests a model for experimental ETEC induced diarrhoea.     

PCR detection of virulence factor genes in Escherichia coli isolates from weaned piglets with edema disease and/or diarrhea in China

Fimbriae, toxins and pathogenicity islands (PAIs) are main virulence factors of the pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. To investigate into their prevalence in clinical E. coli isolates associated with porcine postweaning diarrhea (PWD) and/or pig edema disease (ED), 240 isolates were obtained from diseased piglets (140 from PWD, 76 from ED and 24 from ED/PWD) and submitted to PCR detection for genes coding for fimbriae, enterotoxins, shiga toxins, intimin and high-molecular-weight protein 2 (HMWP2). Among the 240 isolates detected, detection rates of the genes for F18, F4, intimin, HMWP2, Stx2e, LTa, STa and STb were 26.25%, 3.75%, 28.33%, 16.67%, 35%, 10.83%, 14.58% and 9.17%, respectively, and 67.92% of the isolates could be assigned into 20 different virulence factor patterns. Further more, F18ab+ STEC are the prevalent pathogens of ED, and F18+ and/or intimin+ STEC/ETEC are the dominant pathogens of ED/PWD, while F18ab+, F4+ and/or intimin+ ETEC and HPI+ and/or LEE+ E. coli are more frequently associated with PWD.     

DNA sequences coding for the F18 fimbriae and AIDA adhesin are localised on the same plasmid in Escherichia coli isolates from piglets

The adhesin-involved-in-diffuse-adherence (AIDA) afimbrial adhesin is produced by human, but not by animal, Escherichia coli, with the exception of German porcine verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) [Clin. Diagn. Lab. Immunol. 8 (2001) 143]. Presence and localisation of DNA sequences (aidA) coding for and production of an AIDA adhesin were investigated in a collection of Belgian VTEC and non-VTEC E. coli isolated from piglets at weaning time. The 174 isolates were also studied by colony hybridisation for the presence of DNA sequences coding for the Stx2e verocytotoxin and the F18 fimbrial adhesin (fed): 71 were Stx2+F18+AIDA+, 26 were F18+AIDA+, 12 were AIDA+, two were Stx2+AIDA+, and one was Stx2+ only. Fifty-four of the 58 (F18+)AIDA+ isolates tested positive in a western blotting assay with an immune serum raised against the AIDA protein. Hybridisation with the AIDA gene probe on plasmid DNA profiles identified a probe-positive plasmid band in the 10 AIDA+ and in 24 of the 25 F18+AIDA+ isolates studied. Moreover in F18+AIDA+ isolates, only one plasmid band hybridised with both F18 and AIDA probes. These results confirm the presence of aidA-related genes in not only VTEC, but also non-VTEC, isolates from piglets and the production of an antigenically AIDA-related protein by the majority of probe-positive E. coli. Moreover the plasmid DNA hybridisation results suggest a localisation on the same plasmid of the aidA- and fed-related DNA sequences.     

Genotypic prevalence of the fimbrial adhesins (F4, F5, F6, F41 and F18) and toxins (LT, STa, STb and STx2e) in Escherichia coli isolated from postweaning pigs with diarrhoea or oedema disease in Korea

A PCR was used to determine the genotypic prevalence of five fimbrial adhesins (F4, F5, F6, F41 and F18), two heat-stable enterotoxins (STa and STb), the heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), and the shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e) in 230 isolates of Escherichia coli from postweaning pigs with diarrhoea or oedema disease. Ninety-four (40.9 per cent) of the isolates carried genes for at least one of the fimbrial adhesins or toxins. Genes for the F18 fimbrial adhesin were detected in 18.3 per cent, and genes for F4, F6, F5 and F41 were detected in 10.0 per cent, 4.3 per cent, 1.7 per cent and 0.8 per cent of the isolates, respectively. Genes for STa, STb and LT were detected in 25.7 per cent, 15.2 per cent and 8.7 per cent of the isolates, respectively. Genes for Stx2e were detected in 36 (15.6 per cent) of the isolates, and among them 24 also contained the gene for F18ab and four also contained the gene for F18ac.     

Role of fimbriae F18 for actively acquired immunity against porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Enterotoxigenic (ETEC) and enterotoxaemic (ETEEC) Escherichia (E.) coli that express F18 (F107) fimbriae colonize the small intestine and cause diarrhoea and/or oedema disease in weaned pigs. So far, two antigenic variants of F18 can be distinguished with a common antigenic factor designated ‘a’ and two specific factors called ‘b’ and ‘c’. In this study the existence of crosswise anti-colonization immunity between E. coli strains that express F18ab or F18ac fimbrial variants, respectively, was demonstrated. Weaned pigs of susceptible genotype with respect to susceptibility to adhesion of E. coli with fimbriae F18 were inoculated with E. coli strains 3064^STM (O157:K-:H-:F18ab; resistant to streptomycin) and 8199^RIF (O141ab:K-:H4:F18ac; resistant to rifampicin). The faecal shedding was compared subsequent to immunization and homologous or heterologous challenge. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to measure IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies against the F18ab and F18ac antigens in saliva, faeces, serum and intestinal wash samples. About 8 log CFU/g of the inoculated strains were found in faeces of all pigs following immunization as well as in non-immunized controls after challenge. Bacterial counts of the inoculated strains after challenge were between 2 and 5 log lower, without any difference between homologous and heterologous challenge. Intestinal colonization with fimbriated E. coli resulted in production of significantly increased levels of anti-fimbrial antibodies, especially IgA, in serum and intestinal wash samples. There were higher levels of homologous than of heterologous anti-fimbrial antibodies. Production of antibodies against F18a or against another common fimbrial antigen is probably responsible for crosswise anti-colonization immunity between E. coli strains with F18ab and F18ac fimbrial variants. Serum F18-specific IgA may be a useful indicator of a mucosal immune response directed against F18 fimbriae.     

Resistance to ETEC F4/F18–mediated piglet diarrhoea: opening the gene black box

Diarrhoea, a significant problem in pig rearing industry affecting pre- and post-weaning piglets is caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). The ETEC are classified as per the fimbriae types which are responsible for bacterial attachment with enterocytes and release of toxins causing diarrhoea. However, genetic difference exists for susceptibility to ETEC infection in piglets. The different phenotypes found in pigs determine their (pigs’) susceptibility or resistance towards fimbrial subtypes/variants (F4ab, F4ac, F4ad and F18). Specific receptors are present on intestinal epithelium for attachment of these fimbriae, which do not express to same level in all animals. This differential expression is genetically determined and thus their genetic causes (may be putative candidate gene or mutations) render some animals resistant or susceptible to one or more fimbrial subtypes. Genetic linkage studies have revealed the mapping location of the receptor loci for the two most frequent variants F4ab and F4ac to SSC13q41 (i.e. q arm of 13th chromosome of Sus scrofa). Some SNPs have been identified in mucin gene family, transferring receptor gene, fucosyltransferase 1 gene and swine leucocyte antigen locus that are proposed to be linked mutations for resistance/susceptibility towards ETEC diarrhoea. However, owing to the variety of fimbrial types and subtypes, it would be difficult to identify a single causative mutation and the candidate loci may involve more number of genes/regions. In this review, we focus on the genetic mutations in genes involved in imparting resistance/susceptibility to F4 or F18 ETEC diarrhoea and possibilities to use them as marker for selection against susceptible animals.

     

Real-time PCR for differentiation of F4 (K88) variants (F4ab, F4ac, F4ad) of enterotoxigenic Escherichiacoli from diarrhoeic piglets

A one-step real-time PCR using one set of oligonucleotide primers and three probes was developed for differentiation of F4 (K88) variants (F4ab, F4ac, F4ad) of enterotoxigenic Escherichiacoli (ETEC) from diarrhoeic pigs. The limits of detection of F4ab, F4ac and F4ad in broth dilution were 10(6), 10(5) and 10(4)colony forming units (CFU)/mL, respectively. In faecal samples spiked with E.coli, the limits of detection of F4ab, F4ac and F4ad were 10(6), 10(6) and 10(4)CFU/g faeces, respectively, without enrichment and 10(3), 10(2) and 10(2)CFU/g faeces following enrichment. In 42 ETEC field isolates from pigs in Korea encoding the F4 gene, all were identified as the F4ac variant.     

华东地区部分猪源大肠杆菌K88黏附素的生物学特性

近年来，从华东地区患腹泻仔猪中分离到一些表达K88菌毛的大肠杆菌，这些菌株只与K88a因子单抗反应，而不与b、c、d因子单抗反应。通过K88常规血清交叉吸收试验、SDS-PAGE、Western印迹，表明这些菌株不仅与K88ac参考菌株C83907制备的c因子血清反应，而且与以分离株SEC586制备且经K88ab、K88ac、K88ad参考菌株吸收后的血清也反应。对分离株SEC586、SEC464的K88主要亚单位结构基因faeG的克隆、测序，发现该基因由846对核苷酸组成，编码菌毛主要亚单位的262个氨基酸及21个氨基酸的信号肽，比国外报道的K88ac FaeG亚单位（263个氨基酸）少了1个氨基酸，比K88ab、K88ad（265个氨基酸）少了3个氨基酸。SEC586、SEC464菌株的FaeG亚单位氨基酸序列的同源性为97．7％，它们与K88ac的同源性为94．7％和96．2％；与K88ab的同源性为90．1％和91．2％；与K88ad的同源性为87．0％和88，6％。结果表明，新分离的K88ac大肠杆菌黏附素主要亚单位已发生了部分变异。     

Genotypic prevalence of F4 variants (ab, ac, and ad) in Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheic piglets in Korea.

A total of 812 Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets were tested for the presence of the F4 (K88) variant (ab, ac and ad) gene by the polymerase chain reaction. Forty four (5.4%) of the 812 E. coli strains carried genes for F4. Among the 44 isolates known to carry genes for F4, 42 (96%) isolates contained genes for F4ac and 2 (4%) isolates contained genes for F4ab. None of the E. coli strains carried genes for F4ad. Our data show that F4ac is the predominant F4 variant associated with diarrhea in piglets in Korea.     

Differential Expression Analysis of MUC4 and MUC13 Genes Between Resistant and Sensitive Weaned Meishan Piglets to ETEC F18

MUC4 and MUC13 genes as important candidate genes for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coil (ETEC) F4 resistance,may play an important role in the process of against ETEC F18 infection in weaned piglets. In this study,ETEC F18-resistant and -sensitive weaned Meishan piglets were used,and the expression levels of MUC4 and MUC13 genes in 11 tissues (heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney,stomach,muscle,thymus,lymph nodes,duodenum and jejunum) were determined by quantitative Real-time PCR. The results showed that MUC4 and MUC13 genes were broadly expressed with different expression levels in all the 11 tissues. In the thymus and lymph tissues,the expression of MUC4 gene in resistant piglets was significantly higher than that in sensitive piglets (P<0.05);In the lung tissue,theMUC13 gene expression level in resistant individuals was significantly higher than that in sensitive individuals (P<0.05),and in the intestinal tissues of duodenum and jejunum, the expression level of MUC13 gene was relatively higher in resistant individuals. Thus we speculated that the high expression of MUC4 gene in immune tissues and MUC13 gene in intestinal tissues might improve the immune ability of piglets,protect and lubricate the intestinal tract, and resist ETEC F18 infection.     

大肠埃希菌F18菌毛结构亚单位抗原特性的研究

利用已经表达的大肠埃希菌F18ab和F18ac菌毛各结构亚单位(FedA、FedE、FedF)的融合蛋白GST-FedA/ab、GST-FedA/ac、GST-FedE/ab、GST-FedF/ab、GST-FedF/ac分组肌肉注射免疫成年健康家兔,分别制备抗GST-FedA/ab、GST-FedA/ac、GST-FedE、GST-FedF/ab、GST-FedF/ac的多价血清.玻板凝集试验结果表明,抗GST-FedA/ab、GST-FedA/ac、抗GST-FedE/ab、GST-FedF/ab、GST-FedF/ac多价血清均能同时凝集F18ab+大肠埃希菌F107/86株、F18ac+大肠埃希菌8813株.通过荧光抗体染色法对抗FedA/ab、FedA/ac、FedE/ab、FedF/ab、FedF/ac的单因子血清的研究,发现F18菌毛"a"抗原因子分布于FedA、FedE、FedF亚单位上,"b/c"抗原因子分布于FedA、FedF亚单位上.     

Characterization of polymorphisms of transferrin receptor and their association with susceptibility to ETEC F4ab/ac in pigs

Diarrhoea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) expressing F4 (F4ab, F4ac and F4ad) fimbriae is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in newborn and weaned pigs. The locus controlling susceptibility towards ETEC F4ab/ac has been mapped to SSC13q41, in which TFRC (transferrin receptor) was localized and considered as a positional candidate gene for ETEC F4ab/ac receptor. In this study, we determined susceptibility/resistance to ETEC F4ab/ac in a total of 755 F2 animals from a White Duroc x Erhualian intercross using a microscopic enterocyte adhesion assay. We identified two TFRC polymorphisms (SNPs 591 A>G and 632 A>G) in a single exon after comparative sequencing analysis of 2371-bp amplicons containing the complete coding region of TFRC using RNA of eight full-sib F2 animals with susceptible and resistant phenotypes. The intron sequences flanking the two exon polymorphisms were obtained, revealing an intron polymorphism (SNP 291 C>T). We genotyped the 19 founder animals of the White Duroc x Erhualian intercross for the identified polymorphisms, showing that only the 291 C>T polymorphism is a highly informative marker. We further genotyped all 59 F1 and 755 F2 animals for the 291 C>T polymorphism, and the association of this polymorphism with susceptibility/resistance to ETEC F4ab/ac in these F2 animals was evaluated by the transmission disequilibrium test. The result showed that the 291 C>T polymorphism is not a causal mutation, however, has a significant linkage disequilibrium with the ETEC F4ab/ac, especially F4ac receptor locus.     

苏太仔猪FUT1基因M307位点多态性与F18大肠杆菌抗病相关性的体外鉴定

采用PCR-RFLP方法检测了江苏苏太断奶仔猪FUT1基因M307位点等位基因多态性分布,在所检的49头仔猪中,GG基因型个体16头,AG基因型19头,AA基因型14头。在此基础上,制备上述不同基因型个体仔猪小肠上皮细胞,分别与表达F18ab菌毛的野生型大肠杆菌、表达F18ac菌毛含fed操纵子全基因的重组大肠杆菌和V型系统表面分泌表达F18abFedF亚单位的重组大肠杆菌进行体外黏附试验和黏附抑制试验。研究结果表明:FUT1基因M307位点中GG型和AG型仔猪小肠上皮细胞均能黏附上述3种大肠杆菌,而AA型个体小肠上皮细胞则不能黏附。将上述3种大肠杆菌分别与抗F18ab菌毛高免血清、F18ac菌毛高免血清及抗F18abFedF亚单位单因子血清作用后,则失去黏附仔猪肠上皮细胞能力。上述结果对苏太猪从体外试验上证明了FUT1基因M307位点多态性与断奶仔猪腹泻和水肿病存在着直接的相关性。     

Prevalence of the enteroaggregative Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) gene in isolates in weaned pigs with diarrhea and/or edema disease

A total of 476 Escherichia coli isolated from weaned pigs with diarrhea and/or edema disease were screened for the presence of the enteroaggregative E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). E. coli strains that carried EAST1 genes were also tested by PCR for the presence of genes for five fimbriae (F4, F5, F6, F18 and F41), two heat-stable (STa and STb) and one heat-labile (LT) enterotoxin, and Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e). One hundred and forty nine (31.3%) of the 476 E. coli isolates carried the gene for EAST1. Of these 149 isolates, 66 (44.3%) carried the east1 gene only and 83 (55.7%) carried genes for the fimbrial adhesins or enterotoxins. E. coli which carried east1 gene also possessed genes for STa or F4 frequently. EAST1 may represent an additional determinant in the pathogenesis of E. coli diarrhea in weaned pigs.     

Toxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from pigs in Argentina

The presence of porcine toxigenic E. coli (ETEC, VTEC) in 28 piggeries (5% of total) of the central and northeast region of Argentina was studied for a better understanding of the epidemiology of porcine strains. Samples were taken by rectal swabs from healthy piglets and from those with diarrhoea, in addition to their dams. Between 5-10 colonies were isolated from each one of 223 animals sampled from 1992 to 1997. By using specific primers each strain was screened by PCR for VT1, VT2all, VT2e, STIa, and LTI toxin genes. Only strains positive for any of the toxins mentioned above were screened for STb. Their O serogroups were determined by agglutination. All of the above enterotoxins and verocytotoxins were found in E. coli isolated from the animals. The STIa gene was detected in E. coli isolated from 27/127 piglets with diarrhoea, in comparison with LTI (4/127 pigs). No toxin gene was amplified from E. coli isolated from either healthy piglets or their dams. When strains isolated from 48 piglets without diarrhoea but showing delayed growth were analysed by PCR, their toxin profile was determined to be VT1 (1/48 piglets), VT2all (5/48), STIa (1/48), LTI (3/48) and VT2e (3/48). Serogroup O64 prevailed among ETEC; O138 prevailed for ETEC/VTEC strains. This is the first extensive study regarding porcine toxigenic E. coli in Argentina and constitutes an important database for the implementation of prevention measures.