Studies on the effect of specific egg antibodies against Escherichia coli infections in piglets

The effect of chicken egg powder enriched with immunoglobulins specific for rotavirus antigen and fimbrial adhesions F4, F5, F6 of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) (Globigen 66 S, Lohmann Animal Health, Cuxhaven, Germany) was studied in 465 sucking piglets on a commercial farm. Half of those piglets were given Globigen 66 S as an additive to milk replacer from day 2 until day 12 of life in addition to sows' milk. These piglets showed a higher intake of milk replacer and a lower prevalence of diarrhoea on days 2 and 3 of life. Statistical evaluation showed, that the effect of sows' milk on the duration of diarrhoea and on piglet weight gains was more pronounced than the effect of Globigen 66 S. Anti-ETEC F4-antibody-activities were measured using an indirect ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). There was an inverse relationship between the intensity of diarrhoea and colostral antibody-activity (r = -0.2). Comparison of binding affinities of avian and porcine antibodies for F4 showed only a limited common spectrum of epitopes, so, in all probability, they might complement each other in the intestine.