Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Infections in Swine
Summary
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are a leading cause of post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets worldwide, with particular impact during the transition from sow’s milk to solid feed. These pathogens attach to the small-intestinal mucosa via fimbrial adhesins and secrete heat-stable and heat-labile enterotoxins that disrupt electrolyte and water balance, leading to secretory diarrhoea, dehydration and impaired growth. Infection triggers oxidative stress and local inflammation, further compromising the integrity of the crypt–villus architecture and nutrient absorption. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant ETEC strains has intensified the search for alternative control measures, including targeted biologics, phytochemicals, direct-fed microbials and enhanced vaccination protocols. A deeper understanding of host–microbe interactions, mucosal immunity and the gut microbiota is driving practical innovations to reduce economic losses and improve animal welfare in intensive swine production systems.
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Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Infections in Swine publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in enterotoxigenic escherichia coli infections in swine across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC): Strains of E. coli that produce enterotoxins leading to secretory diarrhoea in the host intestine.
Fimbrial adhesins: Hair-like surface proteins (e.g. K88, F18) that mediate bacterial attachment to the intestinal epithelium.
Enterotoxins: Secreted toxins (heat-stable or heat-labile) that disrupt ion transport in enterocytes, causing fluid secretion and diarrhoea.
Post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD): Diarrhoea occurring in piglets after weaning, often associated with ETEC infection and dietary change.
Single-chain variable fragment (scFv): An engineered antibody fragment composed of the variable regions of heavy and light chains connected by a peptide linker, retaining antigen specificity.
References
- Bacillus coagulans prevents the decline in average daily feed intake in young piglets infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 by reducing intestinal injury and regulating the gut microbiota. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (2023).
- Berberine alleviates ETEC-induced intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress damage by optimizing intestinal microbial composition in a weaned piglet model. Frontiers in Immunology (2024).
- Preparation of Bispecific IgY-scFvs Inhibition Adherences of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (K88 and F18) to Porcine IPEC-J2 Cell. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
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