THE LABORATORYS ROLE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTIOUS AND PARASITIC DIARRHEA IN THE PIG

The laboratory is often asked to help in the diagnosis of pig diarrhoe a because of the large number of possible aetiologies. According to th e case histories and autopsy examination the laboratory tests are orie nted towards parasitic, bacterial or viral analyses. During this revie w the main parasitic and infectious agents involved in pig diarrhoea a re described. In addition the prevalence of the pathogenic agent and t he feasibility of the test are highlighted and where possible illustra ted statistically. Particular attention is given to Escherichia coli a nd its antibiosensitivity.