Controlling Escherichia coli

An old bacterial nemesis is finding its way into more swine herds, but producers and veterinarians have several tools to keep it at bay.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a serious pathogen that causes diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss and, in extreme cases, sudden death.¹ As the gut is the largest portion of the immune system for pigs, maintaining the gut in good health, especially in your nursery pigs, is critical for your success.¹ While there are other times that these piglets may face E. coli infections, the severity of post-weaning diarrhea (PWD), a prevalent clinical sign,² can be exacerbated by the stress of weaning, dietary changes, lack of milk antibodies and co-mingling or environmental changes.¹ Additional concurrent infections can also occur due to lowered immune response and gut health of the piglet.¹ With disease pressure ever rising in our industry, diligence around pathogen control is necessary — even those challenges previously considered under control.

Elanco is dedicated to fighting this bacterial menace. Elanco’s extensive research led to the introduction of Kavault^®, the company’s marquee E. coli solution, in 2015. Kavault is administered to pigs as a feed additive, and protects your pigs by reducing the incidence and severity of post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) when fed according to label directions. Through inhibiting the production of E. coli pili, Kavault reduces its ability to attach to the gut wall and induce PWD.^3,4,5

Kavault Mode of Action

Proven PWD Control

A recent study conducted in collaboration with Cargill Animal Nutrition compared the efficacy of Kavault in a commercial population of pigs commonly experiencing diarrhea associated with pathogenic E. coli.

The Details — Methodology⁶

In the study, 3,329 pigs were divided into four separate treatment groups and two stocking densities over a 56-day nursery period.

The treatment groups included the following:

• Non-medicated controls
• Kavault at 73 g/ton fed for 21 days (Kav 21)
• Kavault at 73 g/ton fed for 42 days (Kav 42)
• Mecadox at 50 g/ton fed for 21 days (Mec 21)

Study Timeline⁶

A four-phase feeding program was utilized: Phase 1 = 4 lb/pig; Phase 2 = 12 lb/pig; Phase 3 = to day 42 of study; Phase 4 = to day 56 of study (common diet).

Feed additions were recorded using a computerized feeding system and pigs were weighed at the start of the trial and on days 21, 42 and 56.

Fecal samples were collected within the first two weeks of the trial and confirmed the presence of haemolytic E. coli. Weekly scores were collected and evaluated on a 3-point scale of diarrhea severity, incidence and a mean weekly average over the study period: 0 = less than 5% of pigs or feces showing signs of scours, 1 = 5-25% of pigs or feces showing signs of scours and 2 = greater than 25% of pigs or feces showing signs of scours.

The Results⁶

Pigs fed Kavault had lower incidence and severity of diarrhea than pigs fed Mecadox or non-medicated controls.

Study Results: Diarrhea⁶

Study Results: D 56⁶

Through the nursery phase, Kavault proved beneficial in these piglets’ diet. By reducing the incidence and severity of diarrhea, Kavault increased nursery pig performance.

Conclusion

Gut health of recently weaned nursery pigs is solidly connected with growth performance and economic values.¹ Post-weaning diarrhea is a major concern related to gut health of nursery pigs and is often caused by infection of Enterotoxigenic E. coli.¹ Improving the overall health of the gut to prevent E. coli from binding to the receptors is recommended, as well as strong farrowing management of E. coli and effective on-site interventions.^2,3 E. coli is a common, but preventable hurdle. Set weaned piglets up for success with strong E. coli management protocols.

For more information about these E. coli solutions contact your Elanco sales representative.

The labels contain complete use information, including cautions and warnings. Always read, understand and follow the label use and directions.

INDICATION:

• For the reduction in incidence and overall severity of diarrhea in the presence of pathogenic Escherichia coli in groups of weaned pigs.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:

• Feed at 73 grams avilamycin per ton of Type C medicated feed (80 ppm) as the sole ration for 21 consecutive days.
• The veterinarian may direct feeding for up to a total of 42 consecutive days, based on clinical assessment.
• Feed to pigs that are at risk of developing, but not yet showing signs of, diarrhea in the presence of pathogenic Escherichia coli.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• CAUTION: Federal law restricts medicated feed containing this veterinary feed directive drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
• No withdrawal period required when fed according to the label.
• To assure responsible antimicrobial drug use in pigs, do not administer to pigs 14 weeks of age or older or for more than a lifetime total of 42 days.
• VFD expiration date must not exceed 90 days from the date of issuance. VFDs for avilamycin shall not be refilled.
• Avilamycin has not been demonstrated to be effective in pigs showing clinical signs of diarrhea prior to the start of medication.
• Avoid inhalation, oral exposure, and direct contact with skin or eyes.

¹Sun Y, Kim SW. Intestinal challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in pigs, and nutritional intervention to prevent postweaning diarrhea. Animal Nutrition. 2017;3(4):322–30. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405654517300951.
²Iowa State University. E. coli. Available at: https://vetmed.iastate.edu/vdpam/FSVD/swine/index-diseases/Ecoli-diarrhea. Accessed December 5, 2022.
³Elanco Animal Health. Data on file.
⁴Rostagno M., Pelger. G. Exposure to the antibiotic avilamycin inhibits E. coli fimbriae and attachment. IPVS; 2014:246.
⁵Elanco Animal Health. Data on file.
⁶Elanco Animal Health. Data on file.
⁷Eadie J. Reappearance of F18 E. coli strikes nursery pigs, By Doug Powers, DVM, Four Star Veterinary Service. [Internet]. Swineweb.com. Available from: https://www.swineweb.com/reappearance-of-f18-e-coli-strikes-nursery-pigs-by-doug-powers-dvm-four-star-veterinary-service/. Accessed February 13, 2022.
⁸Fairbrother, J., Nadeau, E., and Gyles, C. 2005. “Escherichia coli in Postweaning diarrhea in pigs: an update on bacterial types, pathogenesis, and prevention strategies.” Anim. Health Res. Rev. 2005:17-39.

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