Experimental colibacillosis in gnotobiotic body pigs. II. Pathology

Sixty-two neonatal gnotobiotic pigs were used in three experiments to determine the lesions produced by two closely related strains of Escherichia coli O138:K81:NM (of Michigan origin) and O138:K81 (of Minnesota origin). Exposure was by subcutaneous injection of bacterial culture into the umbilical stump or by oral inoculation. Gross signs common to monocontaminated pigs included distention of the flaccid small and large intestines with fluid contents. Edema was prominent in various tissues of most pigs exposed via the umbilical stump but not in those exposed orally. Histological lesions were predominantly in the gastrointestinal tract and were variable. At one extreme acute hemorrhagic enteritis was present in two pigs, while at the other extreme in a few pigs it was difficult to distinguish tissues of infected pigs from those of noninfected germfree pigs. Significant histological lesions common to monocontaminates included mild inflammatory reaction, hydropic degeneration of the intestinal epithelium, evidence of interference with normal function of the villus-draining mechanisms, and vascular changes generally indicated by edema. The findings suggest that interference with normal absorption of nutrients plays at least some role in the pathogenesis of colibacillosis in young gnotobiotic pigs.