TY - JOUR AU - Hampson, DJ AU - Murdoch, AI TI - Further evaluation of a novel polymeric antimicrobial for the control of porcine postweaning colibacillosis T2 - Journal of Swine Health and Production JF - Journal of Swine Health and Production J2 - JSHAP SN - 1537-209X DP - American Association of Swine Veterinarians PB - American Association of Swine Veterinarians DA - 2003/Sep// PY - 2003 VL - 11 M1 - 5 IS - 5 M2 - 223 SP - 223-228 L2 - https://www.aasv.org/shap/issues/v11n5/v11n5p223.html UR - https://www.aasv.org/shap/abstracts/abstract.php?v11n5p223 L1 - https://www.aasv.org/shap/issues/v11n5/v11n5p223.pdf KW - swine KW - weaning KW - diarrhea KW - Escherichia coli KW - antimicrobial N2 - Objectives: To evaluate a new polymeric antimicrobial for the control of porcine postweaning colibacillosis (PWC).Materials and methods: In an experimental infection study, three groups of 12 weaner pigs received either Chemeq polymeric antimicrobial in the food, a therapeutic dosage of apramycin orally, or no treatment. Three days after weaning, the pigs were challenged orally with cultures of [beta]-hemolytic Escherichia coli O8:K87:K88, then monitored daily and euthanized 11 days after weaning. In a field trial, 148 weaned pigs in a commercial swine herd were divided into five groups, receiving polymeric antimicrobial either in their water or food, apramycin in their water, a commercial E coli PWC bacterin, or no treatment. Postweaning performance was monitored.Results: In the infection study, pigs receiving polymeric antimicrobial had less diarrhea than the apramycin-treated group (P <.01) but not the untreated control group, and had fewer hemolytic E coli in their large intestines than the control pigs (P <.05). In the field trial, pigs receiving polymeric antimicrobial had less diarrhea than pigs in the other groups (P <.05), and fewer were removed from the study because of severe PWC (P <.05).Discussion: Antimicrobial resistance is increasing amongst PWC strains of E coli, and new antimicrobials and strategies are needed to maintain postweaning health and production. Chemeq polymeric antimicrobial reduced diarrhea after weaning, and was a useful adjunct to the control of PWC.Implications: Chemeq polymeric antimicrobial has therapeutic advantage in the treatment and control of PWC. ER -