Effect of the vaccination against Shiga toxin 2e in a farm with history of oedema disease, caused by atypical Escherichia coli producing Shiga toxin (STEC)

Oedema disease of weaned piglets is caused by shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), typically harbouring the stx2e gene and F18 adhesins. The aim this study was to assess effect a commercially available oedema vaccine on zootechnical performance, mortality individual antibiotic treatment in herd, which non-typical STEC strains without adhesin have been identified. performance (average daily gain, total weight gain), were compared between vaccinated non-vaccinated control monocentric field efficacy study, performed using two groups parallel, randomised design. A significantly higher average gain recorded comparison controls. lower morbidity, group not statistically significant. As conclusion, positive vaccination confirmed herd with prevalent adhesin. was, therefore, also effective against such unusual isolates, under conditions study.