Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheic piglets. Presumption of Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor (CNF) producing-strains

Abstract

Four hundred and ninety seven diarrheic fecal samples were obtained from suckling piglets (up to 40 days old) in order to isolate E. coli strains. The samples were tested for the capacity to produce toxins able to induce lesions into HeLa cell line, similar to those induced by CNF. Besides, the hemolytic capacity and the presence of fimbria were also determined.

A total of 275 strains of E. coli were isolated. Sixteen (5.8%) were shown to be producers of the toxin "CNF type", and 5 (31.2%) out these were hemolytic. Fimbria was not detected.