Studies of Escherichia coli in gnotobiotic pigs. I. Experimental reproduction of colibacillosis.

The successful experimental production of colibacillosis in young gnotobiotic pigs by the oral administration of E. COLI (08:K.:H21 was accomplished. Colibacillosis was not produced in gnotobiotic pigs infected with either of the 2 other strains of E.COLI employed.Necropsy observations were presented and discussed. Emphasis was placed on the absence of grossly visible enteritis in pigs that died in the acute phase of the disease. The gross appearance of the intestinal tract changed some hours after death to resemble that associated with enteritis.Bacteremia was detected in the gnotobiotic pigs orally infected with each of the 3 strains of E. COLI, and the special characteristics of the colostrum-deprived pig were stressed as important factors in these findings.