Polyserositis and arthritis due to Escherichia coli in gnotobiotic pigs.

Forty gnotobiotic pigs from six litters were exposed orally to Escherichia coli 083:K.:NM at 69 to 148 hours of age, while 17 pigs from the same litters served as unexposed controls. Clinical signs of infection included fever, anorexia, diarrhea, lameness, and reluctance to move.Eighty-four percent of the exposed pigs in four litters died, while only 13% in two litters died. Gross and microscopic lesions included serofibrinous to fibrinopurulent polyserositis in 96% of the exposed pigs in four litters and 33% of the exposed pigs in two litters. A few pigs had gross and/or microscopic lesions of arthritis. Escherichia coli was routinely isolated from the serous and synovial cavities of infected pigs.Anti-hog cholera serum administered orally as a colostrum substitute gave partial protection against E. coli infection.