EDEMA DISEASE IN THE PIGLET

Oedema disease or enterotoxaemic colibacillosis is a frequent infectio n in the piglet at weaning. The economic consequences can be considera ble. The disease is due to pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli whic h produce a verotoxin and are at the same time carriers of colonisatio n factors. Symptoms include nervous problems, sub-cutaneous oedema and more rarefy diarrhoea. Mortality is high. At autopsy characteristic o edemic lesions and serous effusions are seen. Diagnosis requires the i solation of the coli bacterium and if possible the identification of t he virulence factors. Disease control is mainly based on the use of an ti-infectious agents of a preventative and curative nature.