Innovative Solutions to Prevent E. Coli PWD in Pigs
E. coli post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) is a common issue across farms worldwide and the means for treating it and preventing it are at odds amongst the industry.
Elanco provides those who raise animals, including pigs, with solutions to enrich their animals’ health and welfare from birth, at the same time tackling wider issues in the industry such as antibiotic resistance and how the industry can collectively secure a future of safe, affordable food for the growing population. E. coli post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) is a common issue across farms worldwide and the means for treating it and preventing it are at odds amongst the industry. Here, Elanco discusses the most recent insights and the place that vaccinations have in controlling PWD.
A recent cross-sectional study on antibiotic usage in pigs in Germany revealed that approximately 32% of antibiotics in pigs are used at weaning1. Such administration of oral antibiotics like colistin, neomycin and enrofloxacin to piglets via the feed or drinking water has been a common measure for controlling E. coli post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD)2, and has been used for decades. However, there are growing concerns for the antimicrobial resistance detected in the Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strains causing PWD.
Researchers at Elanco suggest that targeted vaccination is an effective alternative to antimicrobials. The Coliprotec® F4/F18 ETEC oral live vaccine contains avirulent E. coli bacteria. By tackling the bacterial cause of post-weaning diarrhoea at the root, fewer therapeutic antibiotic treatments are needed. The vaccine provides the crucial protection needed with just a single oral dose, as well as being easy to administer in a water bowl pre-weaning, providing the onset of immunity within 1 week.
Coliprotec F4/18 is recommended as an aid in the prevention of post-weaning diarrhoea caused by F4-positive and F18-positive enterotoxigenic E. coli. Coliprotec F4/18 can be used in piglets from 18 days of age3. It is a cost effective alternative for controlling PWD4. Controlling PWD using Coliprotec has been associated with an improved piglet weights of 1kg or more at the end of nursery, that may result in 2kg of additional slaughter weight4.
To find out more information about Coliprotec, visit the Coliprotec product page, or call 01256 353131 and ask to be put through to the Pig Team.
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Coliprotec
Find out more about how Coliprotec™ live oral vaccine protects piglets against Post-Weaning Diarrhoea (PWD) caused by F4-F18 ETEC.
- van Rennings L, von Münchhausen C, Ottilie H, Hartmann M, Merle R, Honscha W, et al. (2015) Cross-Sectional Study on Antibiotic Usage in Pigs in Germany. PLoS ONE 10(3): e0119114. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119114
- Fairbrother, JM et al. 2005. Escherichia coli in postweaning diarrhoea in pigs: an update on bacterial types, pathogenesis, and prevention strategies. Animal Health Research Review. 6: 17-39. 5. Fairbrother JM and Gyles LG. 2012. Colibacillosis. In: Diseases of Swine. Zimmerman JJ, Karriker LA, Ramirez A, Schwartz KJ and Stevenson GW Editors. 10th Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Chapter 53, p 723-749.
- Coliprotec EU SPC
- Piqué, J., et al., 2018. Investigation of production parameters in a commercial pig farms in Spain with post-weaning diarrhoea before and after the implementation of a live non-pathogenic Escherichia coli vaccine (Coliprotec F4/F18). Proceedings of the 10th ESPHM, p.236 and Elanco study ELA 1700757.
