Abstract:

Efficacy of ceftiofur sodium for the control of mortality in neonatal pigs orally inoculated with K88+ (F4+) enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Beth Hibbard, MA; Fabian M. Kausche, Dr med vet, MS; Kelly F. Lechtenberg, DVM, PhD; Michael S. Hanna, DVM; Edward J. Robb, DVM, MS; W. Lawrence Bryson, PhD; S. Theodore Chester, Jr, PhD; Kenneth J. Dame

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Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of ceftiofur sodium (Naxel/Excenel Sterile Powder; Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, Michigan) administered IM once daily at 3 or 5 mg ceftiofur per kg BW for 3 days for control of mortality associated with K88+ (F4+) Escherichia coli-induced colibacillosis in neonatal piglets.

Methods: Pregnant gilts susceptible to colibacillosis associated with K88+ E coli were farrowed in farrowing crates with solid walls to prevent contact between litters. A total of 29 gilts with 240 piglets were enrolled, with litters randomly assigned to study group by order of farrowing. Groups included uninoculated-no treatment, inoculated-sterile saline IM, inoculated-ceftiofur sodium IM (3 mg per kg), and inoculated-ceftiofur sodium IM (5 mg per kg). Treatments were administered on Days 0, 1, and 2. On Day 0, each inoculated piglet received 20 mL inoculum orally, containing approximately 108 colony forming units per mL of E coli strain M1823B (O157:K88ac:H43). Clinical observations were conducted twice daily for 8 days.

Results: Mean mortality rates for the two ceftiofur-treated groups were lower than for the inoculated-saline group (P=.003). The proportion of normal stool scores was higher in ceftiofur-treated groups than in the inoculated-saline group (P<=.008). Average daily gain for surviving piglets did not differ among the groups.

Implications: Ceftiofur sodium administered IM daily for 3 consecutive days at 3 or 5 mg per kg significantly reduced mortality and increased percentage normal stool scores in treated piglets inoculated with K88+ E coli, compared to untreated, inoculated piglets.

Keywords: bacteria, Escherichia coli, enterotoxins, diarrhea


RIS citationCite as: Hibbard B, Kausche FM, Lechtenberg KF, et al. Efficacy of ceftiofur sodium for the control of mortality in neonatal pigs orally inoculated with K88+ (F4+) enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. J Swine Health Prod 2003;11(1):7-11.

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