Prevention of colibacillosis in neonatal swine with a 4-pilus E coli bacterin

Of 12 pregnant swine (vaccinates) given a 4-pilus enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC) bacterin (K88, K99, 987P, F41), all developed comparable or significantly higher serum and colostral antibody levels than those of 8 pregnant swine (controls) given a 3-pilus ETEC bacterin (K88, K99, 987P). When piglets were challenged with an ETEC strain bearing the F41 antigen, those from vaccinates had significantly lower mortality, less scours, less severe clinical signs and better weight gain than those from controls.