U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Food and Feed Safety Research: College Station, TX
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Plains Area College Station, Texas Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center Food and Feed Safety Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Harvey, Rogeritem
                                            EBERT, R - PLEASANT HILL ANIM CLIN,item
                                            SCHMITT, C - PIPESTONE VET CLINIC, MNitem
                                            Andrews, Kathleen

                                                         - *Kate*item
                                            Genovese, Kenneth

                                                         - *Ken*item
                                            Anderson, Robinitem
                                            SCOTT, H - TX A&M UNIVitem
                                            Callaway, Todditem
                                            Nisbet, David
  Submitted to: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Digestive Physiology in Pigs
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 2/12/2003
                                    Publication  Date: N/A
                                    Citation: N/AInterpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Mortality and morbidity associated with Escherichia coli annually cause economic losses to the swine industry.  In the United States in 2000, colibacillosis was the most frequently reported disease in suckling pigs, and E. coli diarrhea was the third most prevalent disease listed for weaned pigs.   Enterotoxigenic strains of E. coli affecting nursery-age pigs have become more difficult to treat due to increased antibiotic resistance.  It is generally accepted that colonization of the gut with normal microflora helps in the development of the immune system in neonates.  In an effort to better understand the dynamics of GI tract colonization on immune function, our laboratory developed a defined culture of commensal bacteria of porcine GI tract origin, maintained it in continuous-flow culture for 3 years, and designated it as RPCF.  When RPCF was administered to neonatal gnotobiotic pigs, immunoglobulin levels were increased 20 to 100-fold compared to untreated controls.  Laboratory studies have shown that RPCF-treated pigs had decreased mortality compared to controls when challenged with enterotoxigenic strains of E. coli.   The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of RPCF to protect nursery-age pigs in commercial swine operations from field challenge by enterotoxigenic strains of E. coli (F-18).  In field trials involving four geographically separated nursery farms with a history of high mortality from F-18 strain E. coli, piglets were orally administered 10**8 colony-forming-units of RPCF within 24 h of birth, were monitored throughout the nursery period, and the performance of RPCF-treated pigs were compared to a similar number of untreated pigs on the same farm.  A total of 22,840 piglets were treated with RPCF.  All 4 farms experienced decreases in mortality and medication costs in the RPCF-treated groups.  On farms A, B, C, and D, mortality in RPCF-treated pigs decreased by 6.2%, 0.80%, 0.85%, and 4.8%, respectively, compared to untreated pigs.  When projected to an annual basis, the costs benefits from reduced medication costs and mortality were $85,725 on Farm A, $11,570 on Farm B, $16,740 on Farm C, and $7,280 on Farm D.  All farms had a history of mortality and morbidity from F-18 strain E. coli, and although broad-spectrum antibiotics had been utilized, control of the disease was limited.  Results from the present field trials indicate that under commercial conditions, RPCF was effective in controlling disease associated induced by enterotoxigenic E. coli and RPCF may be a viable alternative to the use of antibiotics.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov