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Intestinal permeability to macromolecules during colibacillosis in piglets
L Vellenga1, T Wensing, H J Egberts
1Clinic for Large Animal Medicine, State University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Veterinary Research Communications
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Escherichia coli infection in piglets causes diarrhea, increased serum urea, and decreased hemoglobin. Macromolecular permeability to large molecules (40,000 KDa) was not observed, suggesting it doesn't cause persistent diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection is a common cause of diarrhea in piglets.
- Understanding the mechanisms behind persistent diarrhea in piglets post-colibacillosis is crucial for effective treatment and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in intestinal macromolecular permeability in piglets experimentally infected with E. coli.
- To determine the role of macromolecule uptake in the pathogenesis of E. coli-induced diarrhea in piglets.
Main Methods:
- Specific pathogen-free piglets were infected with E. coli.
- Intestinal macromolecular permeability was assessed before and after infection.
- Serum urea, total protein, hemoglobin, and blood glucose were measured.
- Fecal lipid composition was analyzed.
- Jejunal and ileal mucosa were examined for structural abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Within six hours, all infected piglets developed profuse diarrhea.
- Serum urea and total protein concentrations increased significantly post-diarrhea onset.
- Hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) decreased steadily.
- No structural abnormalities were observed in the jejunal and ileal mucosa.
- No uptake of macromolecules with a molecular weight of 40,000 KDa or greater was detected.
Conclusions:
- E. coli infection in piglets leads to significant physiological changes including diarrhea and alterations in serum and blood parameters.
- The absence of macromolecule uptake suggests that increased intestinal permeability to large molecules is not a primary factor in the persistent diarrhea observed after E. coli infection in piglets.